The EPS Industry Alliance (EIA) has created a new annual award that seeks to recognize advancements in expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling. Called the Excellence in EPS Recycling Award, the first award will be presented this March at EPS EXPO, the EPS industry's annual conference.

Judges for the award include Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful; Nina Goodrich, executive director of GreenBlue; Lisa Pierce, executive editor of "Packaging Digest"; and Patty Moore, president and CEO of Moore Recycling Associates.

In a release, the EIA notes that for many years EPS recycling has been making strides in reach and effectiveness. As an example, the group singles out efforts by the retailer Wal-Mart and Omaha Steaks to increase the collection of EPS through the use of innovative ideas and collaborative partnership.

The EIA adds, “Their efforts and those of companies and organizations like them have helped clarify the public perception of EPS from an environmental liability to a reusable and recyclable material with a variety of end-use markets.”

The alliance adds that EPS recycling has been steadily increasing for the last 20 years. In 2010, more than 71 million pounds of EPS was recycled for a recycling rate of 28 percent of all EPS produced, which is the highest recycling rate among all plastics. This award seeks to honor the creativity and drive of those that make this level of EPS recycling possible.

The Excellence in EPS Recycling Award will be presented to a winner from one of three categories: special programs and initiatives, recycling advancements and technology innovations. Each category will have specific evaluation criteria that will be weighted to equalize submissions from big and small companies or organizations allowing them to compete on a level playing field.

Interested parties can make submissions for the Excellence in EPS Recycling Award through an on-line application form at www.epsindustry.org.