Expanded polystyrene or EPS is a synthetic material made from petroleum. Being made up of 98% air and 2% plastic, it is a fairly light and 100% recyclable material.

According to Plastivida data, 34% of the EPS produced in Brazil is recycled, placing the country at the same level as most European countries in this matter. Despite the fact that this number could be considered positive, compared to the recycling of other types of plastic, it could be even higher since, usually, due to lack of information, it ends up being discarded and contributing to various environmental problems such as, for example, the increased plastic in the oceans. For the Polystyrene cut sheets this is important.

Another difficulty of the recycling process is that EPS has a very low sale price. Being an extremely light product and occupying a very large space, it generates disinterest on the part of collectors and recycling cooperatives.

For architects and designers, it is interesting to know the work of Santa Luzia , who developed a unique technology to recycle and produce coatings and moldings using 98% recycled EPS in its composition, which in addition to being sustainable are also waterproof.

Here are two different ways to use EPS in construction: decorative coatings and insulation systems .

Claddings of EPS Recycling

Currently, there is only one company in Brazil that provides coatings and decorative elements produced from recycled EPS . Santa Luzia has been promoting techniques and equipment capable of compacting and transporting the material directly from the associated companies and cooperatives to its factory for almost twenty years, reducing costs and CO2 emissions during transport. These environmental concerns follow the same pattern during reverse logistics.

About the Company: Foam Technologies are one of Australia’s leading polystyrene suppliers, servicing the building and construction sector.