Industry body releases 2013 EPS Recycling rates in the US

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): The EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA) has released the ‘2013 EPS Recycling Report’ which documents the EPS recycling rates in the United States during 2013. The report states that the post-consumer and post-commercial EPS recycling rates hit all-time high of 34% in 2013.

According to the report, more than 125 million pounds of EPS was recycled during calendar year

2013. This figure includes 72.8 million pounds of post-commercial and post-consumer packaging and 54.5 million pounds of post-industrial recovery. The report also states that the industrial recovery level decreased slightly from 56.9 million pounds in 2012 to 54.5 in 2013. As compared to the 2012 Rate Study, 2013 showed a notable growth for post-consumer and post-commercial recycling.

The EPS packaging recycling rate percentage has continued to grow steadily, showing a dependable track record to deliver consistent results. In fact, when comparing rigid, durable polystyrene (PS) and other grade materials, EPS post-consumer and post-commercial recycling represent 47% of all post-use polystyrene recycled in the U.S. and is one of the highest within the plastics family.

The above information is based on data received from 41 EPS manufacturers and independent recyclers in the US.