Insulated roof:
From the viewpoint of construction physics，the roof is the most highly stressed part of a building．Heat and cold，dryness and wetness，storms and snow act 0n it from the outside，internal relative humidity acts on it from the inside．Roof designs and construction materials have to be made with this in mind．EPS play a significant part in this connection，as insulating layers，sealing sheets or vapor barriers． Whether a flat roof or a pitched roof，whether,someone’s home or a factory building：EPS are always involved because they have outstanding insulation and offer economical answers as insulating systems．
Cold Storage:
EPS is an excellent insulation to enclose close storage space used to cool and store food, flowers and other commodities at temperatures ranging from normal room temperature (68°C) down to cryogenic temperatures ( - 148°C ). EPS is well suited for this type of insulation because of its excellent thermal resistance, its low permeability to water vapor and air, low absorption of water, dimensional stability, chemical inertness and durability, lack of odor and vermin resistance.
EPS is also used to insulate containers that hold cold liquids or gases pipes and vessels in cold environments such as utility and sewer lines.
Buoyancy Systems:
EPS can be used for a variety of flotation devices, such as rafts, docks and billets. Buoyancy billets are usually produced in standard sizes but can be easily customized. They are suitable for fresh and salt water and are unaffected by winter temperatures. EPS billets can support 55 lbs. per cubic foot, which is significantly more than typical wood flotation devices. Since EPS is lightweight and easy to work with, installation and maintenance costs are low.
EPS buoyancy systems are safe for the environment. They are ozone friendly, no CFCs are used in their production, and they have no food value for marine animals. Growth of marine life in stagnant water does not impair the buoyancy of the billet and can be easily removed with a scraper.
EPS flotation structures exhibit excellent rebound characteristics with minimum rocking, provide less resistance to breaking waves and are quieter than those with other types of flotation such as drum floats.
Cold Storage:
Strength, insulation properties, light weight and superior cushioning are all characteristics most people associate with EPS. What's equally impressive are the ways EPS and the companies that use it are contributing to environmental quality.
EPS itself is a non- reactive material, manufactured without CFCs or HCFCs. And with the continued progress being made in reuse, recycling and source reduction, EPS is becoming an even more attractive alternative for packaging and other applications.
The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, established in 1991, is committed to EPS waste minimization through the promotion of an industry- wide infrastructure to collect and recycle post- consumer EPS. Today, products manufactured using EPS actually constitute less than 1% of municipal solid waste tonnage. With nearly 50 member companies, the AFPR is dedicated to long term solid waste solutions for EPS waste disposal. Today, through the Alliance's efforts and other programs, there are over 250 collection sites available for post- consumer EPS. Additional recycling opportunities exist for postindustrial and rigid durable polystyrene recycling. During 1996, all of these facilities recycled a total of 54 million pounds of polystyrene. Over the past four years, EPS recycling has maintained an average 10% recycling rate.
Some molders, have been just as committed to create products which can be re- used, saving money and further contributing to environmental quality. In addition, innovative design techniques are contributing to source reduction efforts, lessening the need for raw materials, reducing landfill requirements and lowering product costs for manufacturers and consumers. Between 1974 and 1994, the amount of EPS packaging and disposables diverted from the waste stream through source reduction increased more than 20- fold, eliminating more than 800,000 tons of EPS.
Strength, light weight, insulation and environmental awareness - together, they make EPS the world's best choice for packaging and other applications. Recycling is carried out through global cooperation.
Recycling EPS Packaging Materials:
The UK EPS industry has worked for many years to actively encourage the recycling of used packaging material and many large electronics companies and retailers are successfully collecting and recycling their EPS.
Once collected, EPS is recycled in a number of different ways. Firstly it can be introduced into new EPS foam and it is already widely used by the construction industry where recycled packaging is added to insulation board. Recycled material is also commonly used in the form of "loose- fill" packaging.
Once the air content is removed, EPS is no different from crystal polystyrene (GPPS) and it can be used in a range of non- foamed applications. Recycled EPS is widely used to mould coat hangers, videocassettes and plant pots
Recycling EPS Packaging Materials:
One of the most novel uses for recycled EPS is a wood substitute that is used for a number of applications. The recycled EPS is converted into a material that looks and acts like wood. It can be sawn, nailed or screwed, just like wood.
It can be used for products such as park benches and fence posts and is already found in garden furniture and marine walkways. The product costs less than hardwood and has the additional benefit of saving hardwoods such as mahogany and teak.
The retail store Marks & Spencer are using the product in their counter tops where it is extremely durable and resistant to impact from trolleys. Alternatives To Mechanical Recycling
When mechanical recycling options are not appropriate, incineration with the recovery of the resultant heat energy is a viable alternative. EPS has a higher calorific value than coal and approximately the same value as fuel oil. EPS burs efficiently, to carbon dioxide and water, and produces no harmful gaseous emissions.
Emissions from incineration plants are strictly regulated. Control systems have been developed to the level where incineration plants can be run with no adverse effects on the surrounding environment or population. Tests conducted at the SELCHP "Energy From Waste" plant in London, have shown that combustion can be accomplished within stringent emission limits.
Recycling Rates of Europe