Styrofoam

Uses and Characteristics

There is a common misconception that Styrofoam is the generic foam used for cups, disposable coolers, and packing peanuts. However, these items are not made of Styrofoam but are actually expanded polystyrene. Polystyrene, in its nonexpanded form, refers to the substance produced from the monomer styrene. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics. It is commonly used to produce CD cases, disposable utensils, disposable razors, and the housing for smoke detectors, among other products. Like expanded polystyrene, polystyrene is a petroleum-based product, and this fact has raised concerns among environmentalists who are concerned about the future shortage of oil. A second concern is the impact of polystyrene products on the environment. Products made from this substance do not easily biodegrade (perhaps taking 500 years to do so). While they are recyclable, the practices of consumers are often to simply discard these items.

Expanded Polystyrene

The generic foam known as expanded polystyrene is incredibly light in weight (about 95 percent air) and thus has wide application as a method of keeping beverages hot or cold and protecting valuable items, such as electronics, during shipping. While this foam version of polystyrene offers convenience and utility for consumers, the products produced [Page 877]and later discarded pose a number of concerns. As is the case with nonfoam polystyrene, the foam version relies on the use of petroleum in the production process. Additionally, workers producing the substance may be exposed to styrene and other chemical by-products. The products produced from this substance have limited recyclability. Part of this is due to its low weight and high volume, and even when recycling does occur, it is not closed-loop recycling. This means that the expanded polystyrene recycled will become a lower-level product than the original product. In 2008, 19 percent of expanded polystyrene was recycled. Some forms of expanded polystyrene, including packing peanuts, may be recycled at local centers in some cities, or may be mailed in for recycling. Another issue associated with expanded polystyrene is the disposal of the product after its use. Expanded polystyrene, because of its ubiquitous use, poses hazards to the environment both on land and sea. Americans waste nearly 2.5 billion disposable polystyrene cups per year. Some expanded polystyrene products end up in landfills and alongside the streets of cities and towns across the United States. Other products end up in waterways and pose threats to marine animals that sometimes mistake small pieces of polystyrene for food.

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