This article reports on the cushioning properties of EPS foams contain
ing different levels of recycled content. The cushioning properties of
these materials were found using two standard drop tests (ASTM D1596-
78A and D4168-88). In these tests, the recycled-content EPS foams beha
ved similarly to new material in single-drop testing. In successive dr
ops, however, the recycled-content materials showed some degradation o
f cushioning performance at high static loads. The 25% recycled conten
t material had the least degradation and is the most viable candidate
to replace new EPS foams in packaging applications.