How to Get Rid of Styrofoam?
In recent years, people around the world have discovered that plastic and Styrofoam are substances that may not degrade and disappear when placed in a landfill. Many people now see Styrofoam products as environmental pollution. They are concerned about using these and about how to get rid of such items as those polystyrene packing “peanuts” and Styrofoam containers.
Chemical Invention
The basic substance in polystyrene products comes from the research laboratories of Dow Chemical, one of the largest chemical companies and manufacturers in the world. These are based on petroleum, a natural product, but when made into packing peanuts and Styrofoam containers the substance is not biodegradable. In addition, the substance is very difficult to process for recycling.
Considering that we have a hard time getting rid of Styrofoam in landfills, we might consider burning the items. But this substance contains toxic chemicals that can be quite harmful to living things. Smoke and vapors from burning polystyrene products is a threat to health. Research and medical reports show that this can cause damage to the nervous system and may damage our livers and lungs as well.
Where to Take Styrofoam
With all of this in mind, you may want to reconsider using polystyrene products for packing or for drinks and food. If you have some Styrofoam you shouldn’t take it to the landfill or set it out with other trash for pickup. The best bet might be taking it to a local store or other business that might reuse the material. This simple step might prevent millions of pounds of polystyrene from getting into landfills or into the atmosphere through burning.
Some of the larger shipping/mailing companies, such as UPS, might be a good place to contact for reuse of Styrofoam. There’s even a hotline for information on this issue – 1-800-828-2214.
Not Much to Styrofoam
If we look at polystyrene products from a slightly different angle we find that this substance is almost all air! That’s right! If you buy a bag of packing material made of Styrofoam you are purchasing 97 percent air. Only 3 percent of the substance is something you can touch. No wonder it is so light! Yet, when it burns it puts life-threatening chemicals into the atmosphere. If you bury it in the ground it just sits there, not decomposing as food waste and recycled paper does.
Here are a few creative ideas that may be a way to “get rid of Styrofoam.” If you can’t find a place to reuse this substance, make something creative out of it, such as a craft item. This will at least keep it from going into the trash or into the air. In addition you should look for a recycling program that will grind or crush the Styrofoam and then use it to make consumer products. This has become more common in recent years. Whatever route you take, don’t just throw Styrofoam away!
Category: Home & Garden