Styrofoam
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1 The Pros and Cons of Styrofoam Styrofoam By Any Other Name... We know it as Styrofoam, but its technical name is “foamed polystyrene”. However, what- ever name it goes by, foamed polystyrene has been hailed by some as a technological marvel and by others as an environmental menace. What is the truth behind this everyday product, used for so much of our packaging? As with most things, the issue is not always clear cut. How it’s Created, Where it’s Used Polystyrene is made from styrene, which can be found in naturally occurring substances. Synthetic styrene, on the other hand, is made from petroleum byproducts. Polystyrene is used in auto parts, computer housings, boats, and many other products. In the early 1940s, it took an accidental discovery to create a variant of polystyrene known as foamed polystyrene. Ray McIntire of the Dow Chemical Company was looking for a flexible electrical insulator when he created foamed polystyrene, which is 30 times lighter than regular polystyrene. Blowing gases into heated polystyrene produces foamed polystyrene. The result is a product that is over 95-percent air, making it a poor conductor of heat. This also makes foamed polystyrene an effective and popular material for such things as beverage cups and insulation. Until the 1990s, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) were used as a blowing agent in the manufac- turing process. However, because the break- down of CFC’s causes destruction of ozone in the stratosphere, CFC’s are no longer used in the manufacturing process. Biodegradation Foamed polystyrene does not biodegrade significantly, but it is also not a major part of the waste stream. According to a U.S. Environmen- tal Protection Agency report, polystyrene food service packaging, which includes foamed polystyrene, accounts for less than one-half of one percent of municipal solid waste (by weight). While some foamed polystyrene material is reused (packaging peanuts), most material used for food or beverage containers are one- use materials. Recycling is technically possible, but it is not economically justifiable at this time. Because almost all material in landfills degrades at an extremely slow rate, the fact that foamed polystyrene does not break down rapidly is not a significant problem when it is disposed of in this manner. When the material becomes litter, however, it does represent a significant environmental problem.
Transcript of Styrofoam
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The Pros and Cons of StyrofoamStyrofoam By Any Other Name...
We know it as Styrofoam, but its technicalname is “foamed polystyrene”. However, what-ever name it goes by, foamed polystyrene hasbeen hailed by some as a technological marveland by others as an environmental menace.
What is the truth behind this everydayproduct, used for so much of our packaging? Aswith most things, the issue is not always clearcut.
How it’s Created, Where it’s UsedPolystyrene is made from styrene, which
can be found in naturally occurring substances.Synthetic styrene, on the other hand, is madefrom petroleum byproducts. Polystyrene is usedin auto parts, computer housings, boats, andmany other products.
In the early 1940s, it took an accidentaldiscovery to create a variant of polystyreneknown as foamed polystyrene. Ray McIntire ofthe Dow Chemical Company was looking for aflexible electrical insulator when he createdfoamed polystyrene, which is 30 times lighterthan regular polystyrene.
Blowing gases into heated polystyreneproduces foamed polystyrene. The result is aproduct that is over 95-percent air, making it apoor conductor of heat. This also makesfoamed polystyrene an effective and popularmaterial for such things as beverage cups andinsulation.
Until the 1990s, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)were used as a blowing agent in the manufac-turing process. However, because the break-down of CFC’s causes destruction of ozone inthe stratosphere, CFC’s are no longer used inthe manufacturing process.
BiodegradationFoamed polystyrene does not biodegrade
significantly, but it is also not a major part of thewaste stream. According to a U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency report, polystyrene foodservice packaging, which includes foamedpolystyrene, accounts for less than one-half ofone percent of municipal solid waste (byweight).
While some foamed polystyrene material isreused (packaging peanuts), most materialused for food or beverage containers are one-use materials. Recycling is technically possible,but it is not economically justifiable at this time.
Because almost all material in landfillsdegrades at an extremely slow rate, the fact thatfoamed polystyrene does not break down rapidlyis not a significant problem when it is disposedof in this manner. When the material becomeslitter, however, it does represent a significantenvironmental problem.
LeachingVery small amounts of styrene can leach out
of polystyrene products and into food, especiallyunder high heat. Therefore, avoid using foamedpolystyrene containers for heating food, espe-cially food high in vitamin A, which can add tothe leaching effect. This includes such food ascheese pizza, carrots, and instant oatmeal. Hotliquids, especially tea, may also cause some
leaching. Very high doses of styrene act as aneurotoxin.
The use of Styrofoam or other foamedpolystyrene products is a personal choice. Ifused properly, it is an economical, sanitaryproduct, with low environmental risks. However,used improperly, it can quickly become anunsightly environmental nuisance and does havepotential health risks.
Advantages of Using Foamed Polystyrene• Sanitary product for one-time food and beverage use• Low cost of purchase• Manufacturing process not necessarily more harmful than the process
for paper• Biodegradability not an issue in modern landfills
Disadvantages of Using Foamed Polystyrene• Non-biodegradable in the environment• Made from non-renewable petroleum products• Chronic, low-level exposure risks undetermined
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WriterDuane Friend, University of Illinois Extension natural resources educator
Technical ReviewerRaymond D. Ronda, Illinois Waste Management & Research Center
EditorDoug Peterson, U of I Extension communications specialist
Land & Water CoordinatorMichael C. Hirschi, U of I Extension soil and water specialist
February 2005 • Number 7
