Quite simply styrofoam sucks. It has no redeemable features and is the Franken-incarnation of some greedy, short-sighted, environmentally-challenged executives at Dow Chemicals. Styrofoam, like plastic, is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Dow Chemicals, one of the largest producers of styrofoam in the world, has trademarked the name styrofoam (hope we don’t get in shit for using the name here…). Aside from its lack of sustainability, both styrofoam and plastic have enormous negative repercussions on the environment. Yet individuals around the world are consuming both plastic and styrofoam like there is no tomorrow.
Environmental Consequences
Both plastic and styrofoam take between 500-1000 years to decompose in a landfill. Styrofoam is believed to have the second worst environmental impact behind aluminum production according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Both plastic and styrofoam have low reclamation rates and more than 60% end up landfills, waterways and oceans.
The styrofoam cups Americans use annually could form a chain that would circle the Earth 436 times.
In most countries there are no recycling infrastructures to take back, recycle and reuse styrofoam, so like soft plastic bags, much of the world’s styrofoam is used once and ends up in the landfill. The weak reclamation rate is believed to be due to low scrap value.
But that doesn’t stop us from using the stuff. The styrofoam cups Americans use each year could form a chain that would circle the Earth 436 times according to the National Toxics’ Campaign. In 2003 alone, the American Environmental Protection Agency reported more than 730,000 tons of styrofoam and plastic plates and cups were disposed of in the USA.
The World is Waking Up
Berkeley California was one of the first cities in the world to ban styrofoam take-out food packaging. More than 20 American cities have joined the growing movement to eliminate styrofoam packaging. However, even though some cities have eliminated styrofoam food packaging and coffee cups, styrofoam is still widely used as a packing material for transportation.
Resources
Potatopak UK makes biodegradable alternatives to styrofoam – made with potatoes. Currently the company makes plates, trays, bowls and punnets (whatever the hell those are…): http://www.potatopak.org/
Indian manufacturers have created Bakeys Edible Cutlery made from sorghum flour. Vegetable pulp is added to give the edible cutlery better, more nutritious flavor: http://www.ediblecutlery.com/
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~Anti Styrofoam~
written by Morgan , December 29, 2009