The EPS presents a moderate environmental impact

The EPS has a moderate environmental impact. That seems to conclude from a study commissioned by the eumeps packaging the PricewaterHouseCooper-ecobilan's consultant. The study in question focused on the life cycle of a packaging done in EPS and has been in a dozen European countries. The report has been considered the global packaging, consisting of protective packaging of EPS, cartons and foam of LDPE, of a 25 inch TV. In addition, he underwent the critical external review of an independent expert in life cycle analysis, to confirm the validity of the methodology and results, as well as its conformity with standards ISO 14040-14043.

The objective of this analysis was to identify the environmental impacts associated with the use of EPS packaging and quantify possible improvements through the study of 30 key environmental indicators such as energy and water consumption, its relation to the greenhouse effecteutrophication and pollution of the water and the production of waste, just to name a few of them. This analysis has been made in relation to a reference scenario and ten alternative scenarios.

The study has shown that the relative impact of the EPS is minority in much of the environmental indicators under consideration and that a policy of overall improvement for all components of the packaging is required.

This initiative, result of the collaboration of fifteen European manufacturers of EPS, is included in the context of a European and national policy that has taken the name of integrated product policy. According to a definition of European Waste Club, this type of approach has an impact on the life cycle, pretending that environmental problems arising from the management of products are treated in its entirety, as it makes use of the market forces to ensure that all parties will be involved in a common effortdesigned to reduce the impact on the environment of the products and services.
The results of this analysis were presented at the 6th International Conference of packaging and packing of EPS, which took place in Austria from 23 to 24 May.

At this Conference was discussed as well as the situation of the market of EPS in Europe, Asia and America, as well as recycling options and presented the results of an international questionnaire on packaging and packaging of EPS.