Environmentally Friendly Expanded Polystyrene

With talk of recycling and reducing carbon footprints, many manufactured materials have come into question, like environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene (also known as ESP). So what is the deal with environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene? Is it really environmentally friendly and what is the impact it will have in the long run? Let’s take look.

What Is Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)?

Environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene is basically a plastic in a rigid cellular form. Invented by BASF in Germany in the 1950’s it has since been used mostly for packaging and insulation panels in buildings. Expanded polystyrene comes in many shapes and sizes, it lightweight and quite strong.

Environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene (often abbreviated to EPS) is easy to make and is manufactured in three steps. The process is called steam moulding and tiny beads are expanded to more than forty times their original size (the final density of the beads determines the strength of the shape and structure in the final formation). The second steps sees the beads left alone to absorb air – this process can take anywhere from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The final step sees the expanded beads poured into specific moulds. Steam and pressure in the moulds compress the beads until they form the structure and conform to the needed density and strength.

Environmentally Friendly Expanded Polystyrene and the Environment

There is a lot of emphasis put on recycling and the environment. Most industries and products need to be environmentally conscious to preserve future resources and the climate stability of the planet. Therefore, there are questions often asked about many man-made products, especially plastics. What is the impact on the environment? Can it be recycled? These are important questions and can also be directed at environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene.

Expanded polystyrene as a material is safe and complies with all necessary technical and environmental standards. Here are some benefits that show it is an environmentally safe product:

• Expanded polystyrene is an efficient and practical user of natural resources. Essentially it consists of 98% air.

• Expanded polystyrene does not contain CFCs or HCFCs when it is manufactured, and therefore does not damage the ozone layer.

• The manufacturing of expanded polystyrene is safe and does not pose any health risks to people or the environment.

• When used as insulation expanded polystyrene helps with the reduction of heating and cooling, and especially in industry it will assist in the reduction CO2 and SO2.

• Expanded polystyrene is 100% recyclable, and because it does not biodegrade it does not contaminate the air or water.

• When it comes to food packaging, expanded polystyrene is safe and meets with international health standards. It is sterile and bacteria and fungi cannot grow on it.

• Expanded polystyrene is lightweight, making it easy to move and easy to handle. This saves on logistical costs and fuel consumption when it has to be moved.

 

There you have it, environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene shows that its impact on the environment is far less than other materials and is a good option when it comes to manufactured products.