Tag: Recycling Cases

In late 2024, Supreme Petrochem Limited, India’s largest polystyrene supplier, initiated a comprehensive recycling program for thermocol (expanded polystyrene) packaging material. The scheme brings together NGOs, consumer electronics retailers (Croma and Vijay Sales), hospitals, and municipal waste facilities to create a nationwide collection network for used thermocol. A coordinated multi-stakeholder logistics model Supreme’s initiative includes:

The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is launching a pilot program to recycle expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste from its research labs. With over 900 pounds of EPS produced monthly, this initiative aims to divert waste from landfills. Led by Dr. Ana Luisa Kadekaro, the project has diverted 223 pounds of EPS, providing a sustainable model for other institutions. This approach not only reduces waste but also aligns with broader sustainability goals, fostering a cleaner future for our communities.

In late 2024, the University of Oxford’s Sustainability and FM Contracts teams launched a trial collecting expanded polystyrene (EPS) from the Science Area—expanding on an existing scheme at Old Road Campus (Sustainability at Oxford). Previously, lab-grade EPS waste was incinerated for energy due to a lack of suitable recycling facilities. Now, over 2 tonnes per

How hidden EPS systems are scaling recovery behind the scenesIn 2022, North American recyclers diverted a record 168.6 million pounds of EPS transport and protective packaging from disposal—up from 136.8 million in 2019—achieving an estimated 31% recycling rate across the region (wastedive.com). Notably, 61 million pounds were sourced from post-consumer material, marking a significant expansion

The story: EPS collection becomes compact and circularDenmark has rolled out a practical system to collect and process clean expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging and insulation at designated recycling centres across the country. In mid‑2024, facilities began using high-capacity green EPS compactors (e.g., from GREENMAX), compressing foam to 1/50 its original volume on-site. The result: bulky

On 24 June 2024, the African Polystyrene Industry Alliance (APIA) announced a coordinated set of initiatives to recover expanded polystyrene (EPS) used in South Africa’s agricultural and nursery sectors. The program targets seedling trays and agri-foam, two applications where EPS remains widespread due to its insulating and moisture-resistant properties. The goal: build a working recovery

On 31 May 2024, BEWI ASA officially opened a new EPS recycling and extrusion hub in Norrköping, Sweden. The site, formerly an insulation factory, has been converted into a dedicated circular facility — purpose-built to handle large volumes of used expanded polystyrene (EPS) from the packaging and construction sectors. The new hub increases BEWI’s total

On 24 April 2024, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) formally recognised Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) transport packaging — such as fish boxes and protective packaging — as a format that is “recyclable at scale.” This distinction appears in UNEP’s updated plastic pollution science report, prepared ahead of the INC‑4 global plastics treaty negotiations. (climate.co.ke) UNEP