EPS Recycling

De.com is specialized in the recycling of EPS, installing a line dedicated to the recovery of polystyrene.  In collaboration with the Department of Engineering, University in Sannio, and the Second University in Napoli.

EPS is a 100% recyclable polymer, recycled in large quantities both in pre-consumption (production waste) and in post use (following the demolition or disposal of artifacts that have concluded their life cycle).  The collection, recycling and reuse of EPS in Europe is regulated by a very strict legislations.

In Italy, the whole process is coordinated by the Co.Re.Pla. consortium.

Reference standard

The joint efforts of Aipe, of which de.com is a member, and Co.Re.Pla in Italy, has led to a widespread network for the recovery and recycling of EPS packaging.  Most of the EPS waste reached the end of its life from industrial, food, and fresh horticultural packaging.

The recycling of EPS is in compliance with all applicable regulations, in particular:

UNI 10667-1: "Plastics Recycling - General";

UNI 10667-12: "Plastics Recycling - Expanded polystyrene waste from industrial and / or post-consumer intended for general purposes - Requirements and test methods";

UNI 10667-14: "Plastics Recycling - Mixtures of recycled polymers and other cellulose-based materials recycled for use as aggregates in cement mortars - Requirements and test methods"

The three regulations have been transposed into national legislation through the Ministerial 22nd Decree on February 5, 1998, the DM 5 in April 2006, and the Legislative 186th Decree on April 3, 2006 152.

The phases of recycling

In southern Italy, the consortium has organized Co.Re.Pla in the process of recycling of EPS in three phases:

definition of Areas of First Assignment (PCA);

communicating the existence of APC to users of packaging (farmers, nurserymen, fish markets, artisans, industries, etc.);

material transfer from APC to the treatment areas located in Messina, Brindisi and Caserta.  The material is managed by Rete Abile with an implanted system of scrubbing, cleaning, crushing and compacting.

The two possible uses for the treated materials in these plants is synthesized by two types of statements that can accompany that recycled product:

declaration of MPS (secondary raw materials) in accordance with the 152nd Decree and the UNI 10667 that identifies the material to be delivered to a recycling facility;

declaration of rejection (not MPS) for the production of RDF (refuse derived fuel) that identifies instead the material intended for incineration.

De.com usually recycles large quantities of industrial packaging, in the manner and for the purposes outlined above.

In the recovery of expanded polystyrene, the first requirement is to maximize the fraction of recycling without loss of quality.  Therefore, de.com uses an efficient mechanical type of recovery process, thanks to which the macromolecule of polystyrene undergoes no chemical degradation.

Through a sequence of processes for grinding, crushing and compacting, the EPS is recovered to be re-entered in the production cycle.  The EPS recycling plant set up at de.com for scientific research and technological innovation are put at the service of ecology and environmental sustainability.