Initial situation
Insulation materials greatly reduce the energy consumption of buildings. However, their production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry. The production and energy recovery of expanded polystyrene (EPS) alone generates around 130,000 tons ofCO₂ equivalents every year in Switzerland. With the predicted increase in deconstructed insulation materials, the issue of sustainable recycling is becoming increasingly important.
Until 2016, EPS was often produced with the now banned flame retardant HBCDD. For this reason, EPS waste must be recycled to destroy the HBCDD. However, modern recycling processes already make it possible to remove the substance. While a recycling plant is already in operation in the Netherlands, an alternative process is currently being developed in Switzerland. Nevertheless, the economic conditions for widespread EPS recycling are still lacking.
Aim of the analysis
On behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), we collaborated with BSSto conduct a study on the economic assessment of environmental measures (VOBU)on this topic. Our study evaluated the effects of a legal requirement for the material recycling of EPS insulation materials in Switzerland and analyzed its impact on costs, recycling potential, and climate protection.
Central results
- Cost benefits from 2040: From this point onwards, the total costs of introducing a recycling requirement are likely to be lower than those without a recycling obligation.
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions: Emissions can be reduced by around 50 % on average.
- More secondary material available: Recycling means that more recycled polystyrene is available for EPS production, which reduces the need for primary polystyrene and the associated emissions.
- Initial investment required: Higher costs are initially incurred for sorting, processing and dismantling. However, these are partially offset in the long term by the substitution of primary material.
Challenges and opportunities
Existing facilities and processes do not yet meet the technical requirements for efficient EPS recycling. However, a legal requirement would accelerate investment in new technologies and drive the further development of processes for recycling, single-type dismantling, and sorting. Close cooperation with the industry would be necessary to ensure smooth implementation, especially during a transition phase before the state of the art is fully achieved.
Conclusion
A legal requirement for the recycling of EPS insulation materials could make a decisive contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improve the availability of recycled materials and drive innovation in the field of dismantling and recycling technologies, without increasing costs in the medium term. The measure therefore offers both ecological and economic benefits in the long term. However, current processes represent a relevant hurdle. Systems and processes for recycling as well as technologies and processes for unmixed dismantling and sorting do not currently meet the requirements of the state of the art.