Background Society’s consumption patterns continue to increase at a rate that is considered unsustainable in the longer term. Waste volumes remain a growing problem for EU Member States. For example, waste streams in landfills from used expanded polystyrene (EPS) have increased dramatically in recent years. EPS is not biodegradable and because of its low density, it requires large amount of landfill space. The amount of EPS waste generated in Europe in 2010, based on data from CMAI (Chemical Market Associates), was 1.6 million tonnes. In Spain, around 80% of EPS is sent to landfill (circa. 32 000 tonnes/year) and the remaining 20% is incinerated. Effective solutions are needed to reduce EPS waste volumes and promote more sustainable consumption patterns. Objectives The main objective of the LIFE RECEPS project is to establish a demonstration plant to recycle EPS waste and produce pearls of EPS. These pearls will be used to manufacture new prototype products. Through this process, the life cycle of expanded polystyrene will be extended, giving an added value to this waste stream and reducing the amount of EPS being sent to landfill or incinerated. The project actions will be carried out in the urban area of Valladolid and the outcomes will make a valuable contribution to the aims of the EC Directive 2008/98/EC on waste management, by reducing waste going to landfill and increasing recycling. The new prototype products will have applications in the food sector and will have the advantage of being designed specifically for the end user, with enhanced features compared to existing products. The performance of the new prototype products (boxes for food products) will be optimised using an analysis of factors such as compressive strength, thermal conductivity, dimensional stability, water absorption, and water vapour permeability. This work will ensure that the new products are fully fit-for-purpose as recycled material. The project will also undertake a study of logistical and collection alternatives for EPS waste, in order to identify a more optimal management model. This knowledge will be augmented by findings from an evaluation carried out during the project, exploring industrial implementation options, as well as the environmental and socio-economic impact of such a novel waste management approach in urban areas like Valladolid. Expected results: The expected outcomes of RECEPS Project will be: To obtain accurate data on the amount of EPS generated in the urban zone of Valladolid (using three main sources: generators, collectors and treatment plants for EPS waste); To develop a collection and logistical model of EPS waste (based on the existing logistics system developed by Group El Arbol, with possible improvements) in order to treat the EPS waste properly; To treat more than 50% of the EPS waste generated in the Valladolid urban zone, reducing by an equivalent amount EPS waste going to landfill and incineration; To treat 100% of EPS waste entering the pilot plant, demonstrating at pre-industrial scale, the effectiveness and efficiency of the EPS recycling system; To build and operate a prototype plant for EPS recycling with a capacity of 500 kg of EPS waste daily, avoiding 146 000 kg/year of EPS waste going to landfill and 36 500 kg/year of EPS waste going for incineration; To obtain a quality EPS recycled end-product, suitable for use in the manufacture of new EPS products with high value and with improve characteristics in comparison to products currently on the market; To produce 2000 boxes using recycled EPS, which will be used to transport different food products; To reduce CO2 emissions by 227 500 kg/year by reducing waste transport needs.