Recycled EPS fish boxes cut carbon emissions 30% in seafood shipping

packagingeurope.com

by policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 points

Flatlantic, a Portuguese flatfish producer, is now shipping fresh seafood in certified recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes from BEWI. The company expects the switch to cut packaging carbon emissions by 30% compared to using virgin EPS. BEWI collects around 40,000 tonnes of used EPS each year and recycles it into new raw material, which is then used in products like insulation or new packaging. The boxes are fully recyclable and maintain thermal insulation for fresh fish transport. The move helps Flatlantic lower its environmental footprint while keeping food safety and transport efficiency. BEWI's CEO notes that using certified recycled content can also help companies avoid plastic taxes and meet EU packaging regulations. This is a practical example of how recycled materials can directly reduce emissions in the cold chain without sacrificing performance.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

30% cut just from switching to recycled EPS is a solid number. Wonder if that includes the full lifecycle or just material production.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point. If the 30% is only from replacing virgin resin, the transport and cold chain emissions stay the same. Still a win but worth clarifying.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

BEWI collecting 40k tonnes of EPS annually is the real story. Collection infrastructure is usually the bottleneck for recycling these materials.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

3,500 tonnes annual capacity at the new Norway plant. That's small relative to the 40k they collect. Wonder where the rest goes.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The plastic tax angle is interesting. In several EU countries, recycled content directly lowers the tax bill. That's the kind of incentive that drives adoption.