The EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA) has commended the Biden-Harris administration’s recently announced $100 million investment supporting recycling infrastructure projects.
The North American trade association for the expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry applauded the investment, claiming that vital business sectors rely on EPS as a recyclable and sustainable material.
“The newly announced funds come at an opportune moment, with EPS-IA’s partners working to install PS recycling systems at solid waste facilities across the US,” said Betsy Bowers, executive director of EPS-IA.
PS-IA states that despite common misperceptions, long-standing efforts demonstrate EPS recycling efficacy through a network of more than 375 community drop-off locations and over 100 kerbside collection programs in North America. In 2020, EPS recycling for transport packaging exceeded 65,000 tonnes representing a 42.6 per cent recycling rate.
As part of the investment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has chosen 25 communities to receive more than $73m in grants under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program. The funding will help put the EPA’s National Recycling Strategy into action, working toward a circular economy where materials, products, and services are used for as long as possible.
The timing of the investment could prove to be pivotal, as the initiative coincides with on-going efforts within the EPS industry. Foam Cycle has been actively working alongside municipal waste agencies in various communities to introduce PS collection and densification systems at local solid waste facilities.
This newly patented PS recycling system offers landfill operators a turnkey solution to include EPS into its hard-to-recycle drop-off programs. Foam Cycle demonstrates an established presence with more than 30 locations, and more scheduled for installation before the end of the year. Existing locations now serve a population of more than 11 million people in 13 states, showing a 200 per cent increase in pounds collected from 2020 to 2021.
In recent years the adoption of Foam Cycle’s system has grown to include non-profit agencies, counties, municipalities, and public-private partnerships that have committed to recycling foam packaging.
“The opportunity for capital investment in support of EPS recycling could be a game changer for many of these communities,” added Bowers. “Including EPS in community recycling can bring quick benefits, like saving landfill space and generating new profit streams. By dedicating a portion of the grants to this effort, the communities can add new materials to their recycling portfolio, which can then bring long-term benefits, both environmentally and economically.”
