Altor Solutions Hits Major Sustainability Milestone, Diverts Over One Million Pounds of EPS from Landfills
In a significant win for circular economy efforts in the packaging sector, Altor Solutions announced it successfully diverted more than one million pounds of expanded polystyrene (EPS) from landfills in 2025. The milestone was achieved through a combination of expanded recycling infrastructure, strategic customer collaborations, and the growing adoption of its recycled-content packaging line, EmeraldPak.
The recovered material—enough to fill over 1,400 standard garbage trucks—highlights the scalability of EPS recycling when manufacturers integrate it directly into their operations. EPS, a lightweight but voluminous plastic foam, is ubiquitous in protecting everything from life-saving pharmaceuticals and perishable foods to electronics during shipment, yet its recycling rate has historically been low due to collection and processing challenges.
"This isn't just an Altor achievement; it's a testament to what's possible when the entire supply chain aligns," said CEO Terry Moody. "Our customers are actively choosing to participate in these programs, and that demand is pushing us to innovate further. We see this milestone as a foundational step, not a finish line, on our 'Stairway to Green' journey."
The company's strategy hinges on accessibility and performance. It established EPS drop-off points at all 19 of its North American facilities, lowering the barrier for businesses to return used material. Concurrently, the performance of EmeraldPak—which maintains the crucial thermal insulation properties required for temperature-sensitive shipments while incorporating high percentages of recycled EPS—has helped convert recycling interest into commercial adoption.
Industry analysts note that Altor's progress is bolstered by its 2024 acquisition of Lifoam Industries, a specialist in temperature-controlled packaging. The $137 million deal provided deeper material science expertise and product lines, enabling a more integrated approach to sustainable cold-chain solutions.
Looking ahead, Altor plans to double down on infrastructure investment and customer education, aiming to make recycled-content packaging the straightforward choice for shippers. The move reflects a broader industry pivot, as regulatory pressures and consumer preferences increasingly favor circular models over linear 'take-make-dispose' systems.
Voices from the Industry
David Chen, Supply Chain Sustainability Officer at a major healthcare distributor: "Altor's numbers are impressive and show that technical solutions exist. The real challenge is replicating this accessibility across all regions. Their model proves that when you make it easy and economically viable, participation follows."
Maria Rodriguez, Founder of 'GreenPack Advocates' NGO: "While diverting a million pounds is a positive step, we must contextualize it against the billions of pounds of EPS produced annually. This is a drop in the ocean. True leadership would mean aggressively investing in plant-based alternatives and designing for reuse, not just marginally improved recycling of a persistent pollutant. Let's not confuse a small step forward with the giant leap we need."
Arjun Patel, Logistics Manager for a furniture retailer: "We've been using their drop-off program for six months. It's streamlined our waste handling and actually improved our sustainability metrics with clients. The EmeraldPak boxes perform just as well as virgin material ones. For us, it's a no-brainer."
Altor Solutions, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, has been designing and manufacturing protective and cold-chain packaging since 1957.