What is Expandable Polystyrene?
Commonly known as EPS, expandable polystyrene is a rigid, lightweight, foamed plastic product with excellent thermal insulation and impact resistant properties. EPS is produced when pentane, dissolved in small polystyrene beads, is made to expand under the influence of heat and steam. These foamed beads can be moulded into a wide range of shapes and sizes suitable for a wealth of applications in packaging, insulation and disposable cups.
Myths & Realities
We all have different perspectives about the use of plastics in today’s world. There is a healthy concern about the effect of any material on the environment. In order to understand better the impact of EPS, information from industry sponsored and independent research studies have been collated here. These show that EPS cups are more energy efficient throughout their life cycle than paper or ceramic cups. Reduced energy means less use of the earth’s resources and fewer emissions into the atmosphere. This is good for us and better for the environment. Reality
Plastics use up non­renewable
energy sources and are not energy
efficient
When using plastics in packaging the energy required is less than half of that required for non­plastic packaging. In addition, effective recycling minimizes depletion of our natural resources. At the end of its life the plastic can either be recycled as a material or used as a fuel in the same way as the original fossil fuel that created it. 2 EPS is a major component of
municipal waste and landfills.
EPS accounts for less than one tenth of one percent of the weight of municipal waste. EPS Cups contain hazardous CFCs
that deplete the ozone layer and
cause global warming.
EPS contains pentane, not CFCs, which is broken down naturally and rapidly in the atmosphere. Pentane is not a recognised greenhouse gas and so use of EPS cups does not contribute to global warming or depletion of the ozone layer. EPS cups taste and smell like
chemicals.
EPS cups have inferior strength
which leads to spillage.
cup_env_brochure, August 2011 Copyright ©INEOS 2011 The base material for EPS is polystyrene which has neither taste nor odour. EPS cups consist of approximately 5% polystyrene and 95% air. EPS cups have a very high strength to weight ratio and have the highest stiffness compared to other disposable containers. This reduces drink spillage while improving comfort and safety for the customer.
1 Environmentally Positive Life Cycle
When putting together all of the factors involved in the life cycle it is apparent that EPS is a safe and environmentally friendly material to use. EPS Cups are Energy Efficient
EPS Cups emerge as the most energy efficient when compared to all different kinds of drinking cups. For example, disposable paper cups require 2.75 times more energy throughout their lives than EPS foam cups (the difference between the two green horizontal lines in the graph below). The reusable alternatives, ceramic, glass and plastic cups, use more energy during their production, in addition to the energy required to clean them in between uses. As they are used more often, the “energy per use” reduces (shown by the blue downward sloping lines in the graph). A ceramic cup needs to be used more then 1000 times before it reaches the equivalent “energy per use” level of an EPS foam cup. 3 glass, 5.5 MJ/cup plastic, 6.3 MJ/cup Table 1 ­ shows the number of uses necessary before the reusable cup listed on the left becomes equally energy efficient to the disposable cup listed on the top. Energy per use, MJ 1. 0 0.8 0.6 0. 4 0..2 0.0
Number of Uses
Figure 1 ­ The energy per use of each reusable cup (blue lines) declines the more it is used.
cup_env_brochure, August 2011 Copyright ©INEOS 2011 2 EPS Cups Conserve Resources
EPS maximises resource efficiency by reducing the use of fuel and oil consumption in the vehicles that transport them due to their lighter weight and ability to provide smaller, less bulky packaging. In Europe, 40­50% of all goods are packaged in plastics, yet the weight of these plastics only account for 10% of all packaging waste. 1 Packaging
With Plastics
Without Plastics Waste is reduced through use of an EPS cup because one EPS foam cup can safely protect a hand from burns and also keep a drink cold over an extended period of time. This avoids the use of double­cupping and extra sleeves. Plastics in general are very effective in preserving food and drinks. Additionally, EPS foam keeps food and drinks at consummation temperature longer, reducing food and drink spoilage. Weight of packaging
Energy consumed
Volume of waste
EPS is a highly effective recyclable material through such methods as: reduction at source, reuse, mechanical recycling, feedstock recycling and energy recovery. All of these recycling methods are being practiced today.
EPS Cups Limit Process Pollutants
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. EPS is recyclable EPS does not deplete the ozone layer EPS contains no CFCs, HFCs or HCFC s EPS represents an efficient use of the world’s resources Food/drink stays fresher longer resulting in less food spoilage EPS cups are more energy efficient than ceramic and paper cups
5 EPS Cups From Ineos Styrenics
The Ineos Styrenics EPS Cup Grade Range Ineos Styrenics produces dedicated cup grades that strive to minimise environmental impact throughout production. The tailor­ made EPS bead size and surface treatment result in consistent and efficient moulding of cups. Reduced wall thickness and densities can be achieved during moulding which saves material. Trouble free production and easy processing reduces the scrap rate, making more efficient use of our resources. Ineos Styrenics’ cup range has a unique combination of exceptional thermal properties, increased stiffness with no odour and excellent barrier properties. D833B: 0.35—0.50mm for regular cups D933B: 0.25—0.35mm for regular/thin wall cups Ineos Styrenics’ Commitment to Responsible Care and the Environment As a leading manufacturer of styrenic polymers in Europe we feel that we have the responsibility to protect our planet. By means of environmental management systems, energy efficiency programmes and process safety management we strive to eliminate waste, reduce emissions and decrease energy consumption. In order to effectively share our views and influence European environmental legislation we are a member of Plastics Europe. 1. PlasticsEurope.org, “Contributing to Environmental Protection” 2. APME/PWMI, (1991), “Plastics Recovery in Perspective” 3. Hocking, Martin B. “Reusable and Disposable Cups: An Energy­Based Evaluation.” Environmental Management 18(6) 4. Franklin Associates LTD, June 1990, Resource & Environmental Profile Analysis of Foam Polystyrene and Bleached Paper Board Containers 5. CFC: chlorofluorocarbon, HFC: hydrofluorocarbon, HCFC: hydrochloroflurocarbon For more information please contact: Ineos Styrenics International SA Avenue de la Gare 14 1700 Fribourg Switzerland Phone : +41 26 426 56 56 Fax : +41 26 426 56 57 [email protected]
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