EPS and the Environment
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is one of the most environmentally-friendly products in use today. Additionally, a 2009 national study found that EPS provides a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when used to insulate homes in North America.
"Green" Characteristics of EPS
EPS is lightweight and easy to use, plus it is largely made from recycled materials and is itself 100 percent recyclable. Furthermore, EPS is flame retardant and contains no harmful ozone-depleting CGCs or HCFCs. When compared to other packaging and insulation materials, such as corrugated, EPS offers superior cushioning properties and is more versatile and less expensive.
EPS is simply an ideal choice for green building designs, offering tangible environmental advantages with energy efficiency, recycled content, mold resistance and indoor environmental quality.
EPS can help meet other green building goals via localized manufacturing, (which reduces the impact of transportation costs) and through its use of innovative applications that improve the overall environmental performance of the building envelope. During installation, some EPS applications have been shown to consistently reduce jobsite waste and labor costs. And, once installed, the environmental benefits continue with superior insulating properties that result in measurable savings.
EPS Made Using Green Processes
Beyond the environmental benefits of the installed product, the energy requirements to make EPS can be more favorable than some alternative materials. In one study, when compared to fiberglass insulation, the energy required to produce EPS insulation is 24 percent less than what is needed to make the amount of fiberglass needed to achieve an equivalent R-value at a representative volume.
While all insulation is inherently "green" due to its energy-savings capabilities, green attributes will differ based on each material's physical properties and its subsequent ability to enhance sustainability.
Energy Efficiency of EPS
Most significantly, whether used as a stand-alone component or part of a highly engineered building system, EPS' insulating capabilities contribute to increased energy efficiency. Whether for sheathing, roofing or below-grade installations, EPS plays a key role in a building's ability to comply with all benchmark requirements for most green building programs.
The key environmental attributes of EPS are:
- Since the 1950s, EPS has always been CFC- and HCFC-free.
- EPS provides stable R-value and does not need to be adjusted for age.
- Recycled content can be specified for certain building applications.
- EPS mold resistance tests favorably in accordance with ASTM C1338.
- With hundreds of plant locations in North America, including Tri State Foam in Martinsville, VA, EPS is manufactured locally.
- EPS does not adversely affect indoor air quality.
EPS & LEED© Certification
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED©) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built using green strategies. LEED© is intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
The intent of LEED© is to provide building owners and operators a framework for implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
Several EPS structural system applications, like insulating concrete forms (ICFs) and structural insulation panels (SIPS), are commonly recognized by LEED© as providing key environmental advantages.
All of Tri State Foam's EPS insulation products contribute toward LEED© certification credits.
