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Looking For Packaging Ideas to Minimize Energy Usage?

Written by Kevin Bullinger | Feb 20, 2018 10:02:56 PM

Look no further, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a smart, safe, and sustainable alternative to reduce overall energy usage for transport and industrial packaging.

Minimizing your overall energy usage can be challenging, but we are confident there is a winning strategy.  When evaluating the environmental aspects of a packaging material or system, it is necessary to consider performance of the material, environmental impact during its lifecycle and end of-life options. Using expanded polystyrene (EPS) protective cushioning can decrease weight and lower damage rates, minimizing fuel economy and eliminating energy required to recreate the packaged product.

Based on the Sustainable Packaging Coalition definitions for sustainable packaging, EPS demonstrates favorable environmental performance in most aspects, making it a worthy consideration for product shipments that require superior protection.  Here are some additional reasons to consider expanded polystyrene EPS a smart, safe and sustainable material for transport packaging:

Safe & Healthy Throughout Its Life Cycle

  • Made of 98% air, EPS is an inert material without harmful chemicals that off-gas or leach during its use or disposal.
  • EPS is widely recognized as a safe choice for use in food contact packaging by government regulatory agencies throughout the world.

Physically Designed to Optimize Energy & Materials

  • EPS feedstock is converted into a finished product 32 times its original volume—virtually turning air into a strong and efficient packaging material.
  • If all EPS packaging were replaced with corrugated cardboard, paper, wood, molded fiber etc., compared with current figures raw material requirements would rise to 560%, power consumption to 215% and the landfill volume to 150%.

Meets Performance & Cost Market Criteria

  • Because of its versatility EPS offers significant savings in design and development, product assembly and distribution costs.
  • With customized packaging designs EPS delivers exactly the right amount of product protection. Its high tensile strength and cellular structure give this lightweight product exceptional cushioning properties.

Please reach out to a Palpac Team member to learn more.