Although we are all aware that Styrofoam can deteriorate the environment, only a few of us know its harmful effects. Finding out the impact of Styrofoam on the environment can help us to minimize its damaging effects. As Styrofoam is being used every day, people don’t have sufficient time to determine its manufacturing elements. It is composed of polystyrene- commonly known as petroleum-based component/plastic. For reference, Styrofoam is the trade name given to expanded polystyrene.
It’s renowned for its lightweight as it constitutes ninety-five percent air. From the perspective of utility, it is seen to offer the best insulation properties. This insulation feature can keep the products hot or cold for longer hours. Besides, due to its lightweight, it is used to ensure the safety of products while facilitating the shipping process. We should switch to alternatives like Recycling Polystyrene Material to protect our planet.
Most of the environmental issues and health concerns commence due to components of Styrofoam. For example, styrene is the central element used for making polystyrene. As per the International Agency for Cancer Research reports, it has classified styrene as a human carcinogen in the year 2002. Besides, styrene is often linked to the cause of lymphoma cancer and leukemia. Although the Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t categorized it as the cause of carcinogenic, it successfully highlights its potential hazards. These hazards often affect the people who are involved in the production of styrene. A few acute health issues caused due to styrene can be seen as skin and eye irritation and respiratory diseases. To reduce these issues, we can think about Recycling Polystyrene Material.
Besides, the use of Styrofoam cups or plates can lead to the contamination of your food and beverages. Often the chemicals found in these cups or plates can leak into your food. It can damage human health along with reproductive systems. The Environmental Working Group wants to ban styrene. As per a NI H report, air pollution arising from industries that manufacture Styrofoam can cause several health hazards. For example, frequent styrene leaks can harm the industry workers. Moreover, such emissions can pollute the solid and liquid waste that has to be finally disposed of. To protect the health of these workers, we can launch campaigns for Recycling Polystyrene Material.
90% of Styrofoam has been used to manufacture single-use containers, packaging materials, and cups. Plus, it is used for insulation of roofs, floors, and walls in buildings. While Recycling Polystyrene Material should be made compulsory, the recycling market is seen to decline. In many cases, consumers are informed that recycling companies are not willing to receive polystyrene products. Actions like even distribution of drop-off and curbside collection centers should be taken. Further, the distribution of centers for Recycling Polystyrene Material should be taken into account.
Effects of Styrofoam on the environment:
As Styrofoam can break down into small fragments, aquatic and tiny land organisms can die after consuming the harmful Styrofoam chemicals. As it is lightweight and floating, a great deal of this chemical has gathered along waterways and coasts over the years. It is the main reason for marine debris. A great deal of this chemical sinks into the sea bottom, causing seabed pollution. It can cause the death of fishes that consumes toxic materials consisted within Styrofoam. These chemicals can harm people who eat this seafood. Thus, instead of throwing Styrofoam away, we can switch to the process of recycling Styrofoam.
Apart from using alternatives like recycling Styrofoam, we can switch to these alternatives.
We can use products made up of fungi that look like Styrofoam and are more environments friendly. These products include environment-friendly structural elements such as packaging material. There are bio-composite elements in the construction industry that can come with insulation properties suitable for replacing Styrofoam. Furthermore, you can reduce its usage by avoiding the use of use- and- throw items. For example, you can ask or use paper cups rather than those made up of Styrofoam. Cafes and coffee hubs should offer a discount to their consumers who bring their cups and personal mugs. Besides, restaurants should take the initiative to recycle Styrofoam cups and provide the possibility for sharing cups.
We should reduce dependency on Styrofoam as it can gradually decrease the no of Styrofoam units produced every year. Eventually, it can reduce its effect on the surroundings. If you want to use eco-friendly products to reduce Styrofoam’s use, you can go for products made out of renewable resources. You can always go for biodegradable elements that can be recycled easily. To know more about the essential grades of polystyrene, you can always visit the polystyrene suppliers. General-purpose polystyrene is a highly crystal-clear and dependable product. Polystyrene is a considerable volume commodity of thermoplastics that can be transformed into sheets, foams, and films. You can always visit a polystyrene supplier to know about its features.
