In our previous blog, we covered the advantages of Expanded Polyethylene foam (EPE foam) and its applications. Today we are going to explore some other aspects of this material. Plastics have often been labelled as hazardous products for the environment, and there is a growing concern about their ill effects on the planet. So where does the EPE foam stands in terms of its impact on the environment? Let's check out these aspects in our blog today.

Is EPE Foam Recyclable?
Yes! It is one of the main properties of foamed Polyethylene due to the massive potential impact it may create on the environment.

Expanded polyethylene foam may be melted and then reshaped into different shapes several times. Its superior thermal resistance allows it to retain its chemical structure even after being exposed to high temperatures before turning into meltable plastic.

This is a significant property of the EPE material that permits it to be recycled and reused, reducing the amount of plastic found in the natural environment. However, only a small number of businesses provide recycling services for EPE, which contributes to a low recycling rate in the world. It is vital to either melt and reuse EPE or compress the plastic to stop burning EPE waste or contributing to the landfills.

One of the most popular ways of recycling is reusing EPE, bonding or the grinding process of expanding Polyethylene. EPE that has been recycled can be used for packaging or as a carpet underlay in large rooms.

Why Is Polyethylene Not Biodegradable?
The term" in-biodegradable" refers to polymers that do not break in biological processes in a natural, eco-friendly environment. Most plastics are not biodegradable since it is extensively used as it is affordable, durable and adaptable.

Certain conditions accelerate the degrading process for polyethylene. This includes sunlight, oxygen, moisture composting, and biodegradation improvement by reducing the hydrophobic polymer and increasing the hydrophilic properties.

But, it's eco-friendly since it can be recycled into new products such as EPE foam insulation. Recycling EPE foam is an easy process which comprise of heating the material until it melts; after that, it reshapes or moulds it.

How Is EPE Foam Made?
Like the majority of foam, such as expanded polypropylene foam (EPP foam), Expanded Polyethylene (EPE foam) is produced through heat, pressure, and an air blowing agent inside an autoclave, which is a pressurized chamber.

The machine then transforms the molten foaming Polyethylene into tiny plastic beads, which use water to chill and shape the beads. The resulting plastic beads are utilized as feed material and then injected into specially-designed moulds under high pressure and heat to force the plastic beads to melt and then take shapes that fit the mould.

Making EPE foam is quite simple. It mainly requires high temperatures and pressures within an enclosed and pressurized container. The EPE material leftover in the form of broken pieces or beads or even the material that has sunk into the material can be gathered and then fed back into the machine, allowing it to create entirely new components.

This is the way to make polyethylene foam and the underlying principle for the reuse of EPE foam materials.

How is the EPE processed?
EPE is typically processed using the following methods: Cutting and trimming, hot forming, as well as laminating. It is also processed using other methods based on the particular application.

Customers often want the EPE to be shaped to a particular dimension and form. This can happen if they require to package specific objects, and the EPE needs to be cut to the shape of the item.

This is achieved through hot foming which is usually used only in exceptional circumstances when the final product has to be highly superior. In some cases, EPE foam is laminated together with other materials before being cut and hot formed.

Does Polyethylene have a positive impact on the environment?
Polyolefin products (Polypropylene and Polyethylene) offer the least environmental impact compared to other materials, traditional or synthetic. Polyolefin is made from naturally occurring polyolefin resins. It is an excellent electrical component and acids, alkalis, and anti-chemical resistance against solvents resistance environmental stress, and has long-lasting durability.

When you hear about plastic and the environment, what pops to mind are images of PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) binder lying in a garbage dump in a toxic state and unchanged for more than a century.

But the fact is that all plastics aren't alike in this sense. Fifty years ago, two new polyolefins in the family were born, Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE). These two plastics perform all the tasks of traditional glass, paper, metal or PVC.

They can be cut to shape for packaging and presentations that are printed on or embossed with foil and serve all the purposes of binders and other kinds of information packaging.

PP and PE have significant wear resistance and more outstanding durability when compared with traditional materials like paper. A distinct feature remains that EPE products are environmentally-friendly.

There are the positive environmental effects of plastics Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE) such as follows:

• They are extensively reused
• These are biodegradable (they are broken down into carbon and hydrogen).
• They produce less waste in production and disposal.

The Wrap Up
Everyone must conduct a thorough investigation of the materials they use for packaging and other purposes to ensure that they do not harm the environment. Since EPE foam can be recycled and degraded under certain conditions, it is environmentally friendly, and they do not produce toxic elements like chlorine when burned.