So what exactly is Styrofoam and is it good for you, your family and friends, your pets, wildlife, or the environment in general? Let’s find out.

Styrofoam is technically known as Polystyrene (PS). Polystyrene foam is just one member of the plastics family made from liquid styrene, fossil fuels, chlorofluorocarbon, carbon dioxide and other chemicals. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is another form of what we lay people call Styrofoam and is also made from styrene, fossil fuels (benzyne and ethylene) and other chemicals. 

Not to get into the styrene weeds, let’s concentrate on PS and EPS. If you’d like to know more, you can get comprehensive information from these sites: Food Print and Green Citizen (there are many others).

Polystyrene (PS) is a versatile, hard plastic (identified by recycling code #6) that is manufactured when multiple molecules of styrene, a liquid plastic, are linked together.  Polystyrene (PS) is used to make takeout and grocery store food containers, take out coffee lids, egg cartons, disposable plates and utensils, as well as insulation and packing materials among other things. 

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is composed of small plastic beads that are fused together and create hard or malleable plastics. Examples of how it is used include but not limited to: cafeteria trays, insulation in refrigerators and other appliances, electronics, as well as in disposable coffee cups, coolers, and packaging materials. 

So, PS and EPS are convenient. But, at what cost to the health of the environment?

Manufacturing of PS and EPS foams releases hydrocarbons into the atmosphere releasing ground-zero ozone. Hydrocarbon is a pollutant that contributes to respiratory problems, especially in children. The chemicals also leach into your food when used to create take out containers, lids, egg cartons, etc. The disposal of PS and EPS is also hazardous. They do not break down and are often disposed of by being burned or incinerated. However, burning releases styrene gas into the air and produces a mix of environmentally harmful toxicants. 

PS and EPS are only 1 percent of all waste, however, they make up 10 to 40 percent of litter found in streams. There they break down into microplastics that pollute earth’s waters and kill wildlife. Aquatic and avian life confuse microplastics for food and are slowly poisoned or strangled.

While these foams may seem convenient, they pose risks to your health, the health of your family and friends, pets, wildlife, bodies of water, and the environment. The Media Borough Environmental Advisory Committee recommends not using Styrofoam.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

When you get takeout or have leftovers from eating out, request that your food be wrapped in foil or food-grade paper. Additionally, ask for your takeout and leftovers to be placed in different containers, or bring your own containers for leftovers. The Media Borough Environmental Advisory Committee recommends not using Styrofoam. For further information on Styrofoam and its usage, review the information and hyperlinks in this article.

There are states, counties, and towns that have banned Styrofoam or are in process of implementing a ban. One of those is our neighbor Swarthmore as well as the Boroughs of Ambler, Newtown, Solebury, and Tredyffrin. Lower Merion, Upper Moreland, and Uwchlan have also enacted bans. 

Make a difference. Reject Styrofoam and get in touch with your national legislators to support a nation-wide ban. See the Farewell to Foam Act.