Is EPS (Styrofoam) really that bad? An honest look
Short answer: no, EPS is not inherently bad. It consists of well over 98% air and the 2% polystyrene is readily recyclable. The problem lies in collection, not in the material. Clean EPS can be recycled 100%. Choose the right material per type of shipment: EPS for 48h+ and heavy products, honeycomb cardboard for 24h web shop shipments that can go in with the waste paper.
EPS, also called polystyrene foam or Tempex, has been under pressure in the sustainability debate for years. "Single use", "hard to recycle", "polluting": the associations are seldom positive. But is that picture still accurate? An honest look.
What EPS really is
EPS (expanded polystyrene) consists of more than 98% air. The remaining 2% is polystyrene, a plastic that is in principle readily recyclable. The material itself is therefore extremely light and contains surprisingly little raw material per box.
Those air cells are also the reason EPS insulates so well. In addition, EPS is lightweight and absorbs little moisture. That makes it a widely used material for chilled shipping. You can read more about the basics in what is polystyrene foam (EPS): material and insulation explained.
The real problem: logistics, not material
The EPS recycling problem lies not in the material, but in collection. EPS boxes often end up in general waste because:
- Many municipalities have no separate EPS collection
- EPS is bulky, so it costs a lot of transport kilometres per kilo
- Consumers do not always know where they can hand it in
A box that is clean and dry has the best chance of being reused. Dirty EPS, for example with tape, labels or food residue, is harder to process. A practical overview is in disposing of and recycling polystyrene foam: which bin does it belong in.
Where it does work
In countries such as Germany and Belgium, EPS is recycled on a large scale via specialist collection points. At larger companies, for example supermarket chains and fulfilment centres, a closed EPS loop is increasingly emerging. Boxes are collected centrally, compacted and returned as raw material to EPS producers. That makes EPS effectively circular.
What you can do yourself as a shipper
Even without your own recycling chain, you can reduce the impact of your packaging. A few practical steps:
- Choose the right size. A box that is too large costs extra material and extra cooling elements. Read choosing the right box size: seven rules of thumb.
- Limit the insulation to what is needed. A 24-hour shipment often needs less wall thickness than a 72-hour shipment. Packaging that is too heavy is a waste.
- Keep the EPS clean. With food, use an inner bag or film, so that the box stays clean after use.
- Remove tape and labels as far as possible before you hand in the box.
- Ask your recipient to hand in the box. With B2B shipments, that is often easier to arrange than with consumers.
What Cooled Solutions is working on
We refer customers to local EPS collection points where possible, and for B2B customers with larger volumes we offer solutions for central take-back. In addition, we invest in alternatives for shipments where EPS is not the best choice, such as honeycomb cardboard for 24h shipments that can go in the paper container.
Our EPS boxes come from our own production since 1972. Do you want to see how such a box is made? Then read EPS boxes from our own production: from polystyrene bead to cooler box.
EPS versus honeycomb: when which?
EPS remains the best choice for:
- Shipments with high insulation requirements (48h+)
- Heavy products where EPS sturdiness counts
- Applications where weight and transport costs are critical
Honeycomb cardboard is a better choice for:
- Web shop shipments up to 24h where consumers can put the box in the paper container
- Brand marketing applications where the box supports sustainability positioning
- FSC-mandatory chains
You will find a more extensive comparison in EPS boxes vs honeycomb cooler boxes: which do you choose. Do you also want to weigh up the reusable option? Then read EPS or EPP: which box do you choose.
Questions you can ask any supplier
Sustainability is more than the material alone. So when choosing cold chain packaging, ask a few concrete questions:
- How much insulation do I really need for my route and my product?
- Can the box be handed in or reused after use, and where?
- Does the packaging comply with the rules that apply to my sector?
- Is a smaller or lighter box possible without putting the temperature at risk?
Packaging rules change. On our page about the PPWR packaging regulation you can read what to look out for. You will find a broader view of the choices in sustainable cold chain packaging: the overview for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is polystyrene foam the same as EPS?
In everyday language, yes. Styrofoam and Tempex are common names for expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Can EPS go in with plastic waste?
That depends on your municipality and your waste collector. The rules differ from place to place. Check your municipality's website or ask your waste processor.
Is honeycomb always the more sustainable choice?
Not always. It depends on the transport time, the insulation required and what happens to the box after use. For shorter shipments, honeycomb can be a good fit. For longer routes, EPS is often more practical.
Is EPS suitable for food products?
EPS is widely used for packaging and chilled shipping of food products and does not absorb moisture or odour. We are happy to answer questions about conformity for your application.
Conclusion
EPS is not inherently bad. It is an efficient material with a logistical challenge. If you are serious about sustainability, choose the right material per type of shipment instead of banning a single material. Our advisers will be happy to help you with that trade-off.
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Need the right packaging straight away? View our EPS boxes, sustainable cold chain packaging, honeycomb cooler boxes and our vision on sustainability.
