Public concern about plastic waste continues to shape environmental policy across Europe. However, in the case of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), perceptions often diverge from reality, particularly when it comes to recyclability. A recent initiative by the British Plastics Federation (BPF), a member of EUMEPS, addresses this gap through new data and practical tools designed to support local authorities, inform policymakers, and accelerate the integration of EPS into a functioning circular economy. The findings, while UK-specific, raise broader questions that are highly relevant for EU stakeholders.
A Surprising Discrepancy Between Belief and Behaviour
The BPF’s national survey, conducted by YouGov in January 2025, gathered insights from over 2,000 UK adults. It revealed a key contradiction: 84% of respondents did not know that EPS is recyclable — yet 88% considered EPS recycling important, and 80% said they would use a dedicated EPS recycling service if it existed locally.
“We commissioned the survey to better understand the public’s awareness and attitudes toward EPS recycling,” explains Angela Fredericks, Special Advisor – Expanded Polystyrene & Innovation at the BPF. “We wanted to identify knowledge gaps and assess the barriers that continue to prevent higher recycling rates.”
This discrepancy, she notes, is rooted in structural limitations: “There is no standardised household collection scheme for EPS in the UK. Collection practices vary depending on location, which leads to confusion and reinforces the belief that EPS is not recyclable — even though it is, and at scale.”
The lack of harmonised local practices not only fuels misconceptions but also leads to avoidable waste: recyclable EPS is often landfilled simply because collection routes are absent or poorly communicated.
In Practice: The UK Recycles More EPS Than People Think
Contrary to public perception, recycling of EPS packaging is already a reality in the UK. According to industry estimates, 66% of EPS packaging discarded in 2023 was recycled — either through industrial take-back schemes, designated drop-off points at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), or dedicated pilot projects.
Some of these pilots, such as those implemented at universities in Glasgow and Edinburgh, demonstrate how targeted, community-based collection models can be effective, particularly when supported by clear guidance and communication campaigns. “These projects show that when awareness meets infrastructure, recycling works,” says Angela Fredericks. “The challenge now is to scale those successes and make them visible to the wider public.”
The EPS Recyclers Map: A Tool for Citizens and Councils Alike
To help address these challenges, the BPF launched the EPS Recyclers Map, an interactive tool that allows users to locate EPS recycling facilities across the UK. Designed for citizens, local authorities, and businesses, the map includes up-to-date contact information, location filters, and drop-off guidance. “The tool is central to our strategy. It improves access, raises awareness, and supports more coordinated action at the local level,” says Angela Fredericks.
Beyond its public-facing function, the map also serves a policy purpose. It enables local authorities to assess the availability and geographic spread of EPS recycling infrastructure and to identify gaps in service delivery. This supports data-informed decision-making — both for infrastructure investment and for public communication. “Councils now have a clearer picture of what exists and where infrastructure could be expanded. This is a foundation for more targeted policies and local planning.”
The map also helps normalise EPS recycling by making it more visible in the public space. A material once considered difficult to manage becomes part of a familiar set of recycling options — a shift that can gradually influence both citizen behaviour and institutional priorities.
Towards a Circular Economy: What Is Still Needed
Despite encouraging signs, further progress requires political and financial commitment. Fredericks emphasises that national and local governments have a critical role to play in scaling up EPS recycling capacity and aligning regulatory frameworks with technological potential. “We need government involvement to scale things up — through investment in infrastructure, innovation in recycling technologies, and policies that make sense for the sector.”
Among the innovations under consideration is chemical recycling, particularly for EPS waste from the construction sector, which is often contaminated and unsuitable for mechanical processing. The UK’s acceptance of mass balance accounting will hopefully open the door to new investment in this area, including for hard-to-recycle waste streams. However, further clarity is needed regarding the implementation timeline and the exact point when mass balance will be accepted.
In terms of policy, tools such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) are relevant levers — provided that the funds they generate are earmarked for reinvestment in plastics recycling and research.
“We have the building blocks in place. What’s needed now is a clear timeline and coordinated action across government and industry to move from intent to implementation,” Fredericks concludes.
A European Perspective: Aligning Awareness, Access and Policy
While the UK context has its own regulatory specificities, the core challenges identified by the BPF resonate across Europe: lack of visibility of EPS recycling options, inconsistent local infrastructure, and underestimation of what is already technically and logistically possible.
For EUMEPS and its members, the BPF initiative offers a concrete example of how national federations can support public authorities by providing data, tools and expertise. The survey and map serve not only the UK but also the wider European discussion on material-specific waste streams and the need for evidence-based policymaking.
As the EU continues to implement the Green Deal and strengthen its circular economy objectives, EPS — like many plastics — needs to be approached pragmatically, with clear differentiation between materials, and with proportionality in legislative efforts. Improving collection rates and citizen engagement requires not just top-down directives, but also bottom-up visibility and local coordination.
“Integrating EPS into a circular economy requires everyone at the table — government, industry, local authorities, and citizens,” says Fredericks. “The tools are here. The public is ready. What we need now is clarity, coordination, and commitment.”
The BPF’s work demonstrates that improving EPS recycling is not simply a technical challenge — it is a matter of coordination, visibility, and shared responsibility. With strong public support, proven recycling capacity, and practical tools now available, the conditions exist to scale up efforts and embed EPS more firmly within national and European circular economy strategies. For EUMEPS and its members, this is a timely reminder of the role national federations can play in bridging public expectations and regulatory ambition — and of the importance of aligning communication, infrastructure, and policy.