EPS and the environment

2013-10-09

EPS offers substantial environmental advantages:

EPS is safe, it is non-toxic and totally inert. At any time of his life cycle does it contain any Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs). It is also absent of any nutritional value, so no fungi or micro-organisms, such as mold, can grow with EPS.

EPS is recyclable: EPS can be recycled in many ways once it comes to the end of its life. These include recycling directly into new building products and incineration to recover its inherent energy content. The choice of a recycling method is based on technical, environmental and economic considerations.

EPS presents no dangers to health in installation, during use and in the waste stage.

EPS constructions fulfil nearly all fire and safety requirements

EPS insulation saves money by reducingenergy bills;

EPS, as an effective insulation material prevents energy loss and therefore helps to conserve fossil fuels, prevents carbon dioxide emissions which cause the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Recent years have shown growing concern for the environment, and in particular an increased demand for sustainable building and development. For the construction industry this means a need for accurate information about the environmental impact of the building materials and products that they use. The most reliable way to present this information has proven to be the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. This approach investigates the processes involved in the manufacture, use and disposal of a product or a system – from cradle to grave. 

For further information on the environmental impact of EPS and the EPS life cycle assessment, please see the brochure section.