Industry Collaboration Targets Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Packaging Waste in Australia

November 3, 2025 — A major cross-industry initiative has been launched in Australia to tackle one of the packaging industry’s most persistent environmental challenges: expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging waste. The collaboration brings together manufacturers, recyclers, retailers, and government stakeholders in an effort to accelerate the phase-out of EPS in packaging applications and develop viable, circular alternatives.

Joint Effort to Eliminate EPS Packaging

The initiative, coordinated by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) in partnership with key industry groups, aims to create a nationwide framework for managing and reducing EPS packaging. The program will prioritise packaging used in whitegoods, electronics, and foodservice products— sectors where EPS has long been used for protection and insulation but remains one of the least recyclable materials.

“EPS is lightweight and versatile, but its environmental footprint is enormous,” said Brooke Donnelly, CEO of APCO. “This collaboration demonstrates that real change can only happen when every link in the value chain takes responsibility. Together, we’re designing solutions that keep valuable materials in circulation and out of landfills.”

From Problem Material to Circular Solutions

The group’s objectives include supporting research and development into EPS alternatives such as moulded pulp, paper-based cushioning, and bio-based foams. Pilot projects are already underway in New South Wales and Victoria, testing these materials in supply chains for large retail and electronics brands. The initiative also seeks to standardise collection systems and promote design-for-recycling practices that will make it easier for businesses to transition away from polystyrene.

Industry leaders involved in the program include Coles Group, Samsung Australia, Replas, and Visy, alongside state and local government agencies. Their combined expertise aims to accelerate the commercialisation of sustainable packaging solutions and expand recycling infrastructure across Australia.

Policy and Extended Producer Responsibility

The collaboration aligns with Australia’s National Plastics Plan and recent Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) commitments, which call for the removal of EPS packaging from the consumer goods sector by 2026. This initiative supports that target by developing scalable reuse and recycling models while fostering innovation in materials science and packaging design.

“It’s about moving from a disposable mindset to a circular one,” said Donnelly. “We’re proving that sustainable alternatives can deliver the same performance as EPS without the environmental cost.”

A Model for Global Industry Action

As other countries grapple with similar challenges around EPS and hard-to-recycle plastics, the Australian collaboration could serve as a blueprint for industry-led environmental transformation. By bringing together business, science, and policy, it sets a precedent for how large-scale packaging reform can be achieved through shared accountability.

“The packaging industry has the opportunity to lead by example,” said Donnelly. “This is about innovation, collaboration, and making sustainability achievable at scale.”

With clear targets, cross-sector engagement, and an emphasis on innovation, Australia’s EPS packaging initiative represents a significant milestone on the path toward a circular packaging economy.