The Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) has released new guidelines for the responsible handling of expanded (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) on construction and demolition sites. The recommendations provide practical, real-world guidance to prevent material losses, reduce environmental emissions, and strengthen circularity across the building sector.
What the guidelines offer
The document answers key operational questions that often arise on construction sites:
- How should EPS/XPS be stored, cut, and used to avoid losses?
Clear instructions are provided on secure storage, dust-free cutting, and immediate clean-up routines that support safe and efficient site management. - How should demolition waste be handled to enable recycling?
The guidelines describe how to collect and sort materials properly, with special attention to legacy insulation containing HBCD.
Recycling is established and expanding
A central message of the HELCOM guidance is straightforward: EPS is recyclable, and recycling is already taking place through several established and emerging technologies. Mechanical and chemical recycling are widely used, and innovative processes such as PS Loop offer additional pathways to close material loops.
EPS/XPS are not major contributors to Baltic Sea microplastic pollution
The guidelines emphasise that EPS and XPS are not significant sources of microplastic pollution in the Baltic Sea. Scientific studies cited by HELCOM show that tyre abrasion, synthetic textiles, and wastewater discharges account for the vast majority of microplastics. In buildings, EPS and XPS are installed in closed systems, and emissions can be effectively prevented when proper handling and recycling are applied.
A clear conclusion
The HELCOM Guidelines state:
“Generally speaking, EPS is a valuable and sustainable material for the vast majority of its applications. When EPS waste is effectively collected and sorted it is easy to integrate in the circular economy.”
For planners, contractors, waste-management operators, and all stakeholders engaged in sustainable construction, the guidelines serve as a practical and reliable tool. They demonstrate how EPS and XPS can be handled responsibly so that their well-documented advantages—energy efficiency, climate benefits, durability, affordability, and recyclability—are fully realised.
Download the full HELCOM Guidelines:
https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/HELCOM-Guidelines-to-handle-EPS-and-XPS-on-building-and-demolition-sites-2025.pdf
About HELCOM
The Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. Established in 1974, HELCOM brings together the Baltic Sea coastal states and the European Union to collaborate on pollution reduction, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable use of marine resources. Its guidelines and recommendations offer practical tools to support environmental performance and advance regional sustainability goals.
