Styrofoam can be destroyed if it is incinerated at extremely high temperatures, creating only a small amount of water and carbon as by products. I just wanted to say that there is a brand new Recycling Product called a Styrofoam Densifier which melts the Styrofoam in a ratio of 90:1 into a ârope-patty.â The Styrofoam is then bought back by the company that manufactures the densifiers, and the ârecycledâ styrofoam is transformed into eye-glass and ⦠By volume, Styrofoam products fill up 25 to 30 percent of landfill space around the world. Styrofoam is a major environmental problem. A recycled aluminum can is back on the grocery shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days. Some businesses collect Styrofoam for reuse and recycling. Take your unwanted packaging pellets/peanuts to a local packing and shipping store for reuse. Styrofoam has the potential to affect the entire ecological system of this planet. However, like most options in life, trade-offs exist and disposable doesnât win in every comparison versus ârealâ, reusable foodware. Styrofoam is a major environmental problem. Paper products are biodegradable and non-toxic to the environment. Use compostable paper or reusable dinnerware. Learn more: From the land to the sea â How what we throw away ends up in the ocean That single-use Styrofoam cup doesn't just go away after you toss it in the bin. Every day, approximately 1,369 tons of Styrofoam is buried into U.S. landfills. Used in product packages and the shipping industry, the world produces tons of it each year. The ubiquitous single-use plastic takes up 30% of landfill space- about 2.5 million tons or so of Styrofoam goes to the landfill every single year. The Ocean Protection Council estimates costs to clean up marine debris are close to $1 billion annually. No packaging peanuts or foam insulation. However if it is burned in a normal fire instead of in a specialized incinerator, it releases pollutants such as carbon black and carbon monoxide. According to the EPA, Americans trash approximately 25 billion Styrofoam cups and take-out containers every year. Food service containers must be clean or rinsed. It takes approximately 201 tons worth of aluminum cans to make a Boeing 747. Easily recycled, paper is good for shipping and product packaging. A Recycling Revolution reports that packaging material makes up one-third of an average dump. He is certified as a sports nutritionist by the International Fitness Association. Some companies are also getting with the program. Instead of cleaning up, just toss out paper plates, foam cups and plastic cutlery. Landfills are quickly filling up and Styrofoam is an active contributor occupying more space than other waste. Health effects from exposure to styrene include irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and gastrointestinal problems. Styrofoam makes up a large fraction of the constituent waste. With enough Styrofoam cups produced each day to circle the earth if lined up end to end, the potential for major ecological impact is great. Styrofoam is a Dow Chemical Company trademark for a specific type of extruded polystyrene (EPS) foam used only for art supplies and insulation. Despite regulations across Canada encouraging the collection and recycling of Styrofoam, 80 per cent of it ends up in Canadaâs landfills and environment. Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomers. © 2021 Collier County, FL. Over 90,000 workers face exposure to the effects of styrene, the material in Styrofoam, each year in industries such as rubber and fiberglass manufacturing companies. Once in the landfill, it does not decompose quickly. The packaging and food industries have begun introducing environmental friendly packaging alternatives to the market, such as air cushions and biodegradable food packaging. ... Over 40% of all U.S. municipal solid waste consists of paper and paperboard products. When the bottom li⦠This adds up to about a ton of trash per person every year that eventually ends up in a landfill. Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. This figure includes 63 million pounds of post-consumer packaging and 55.7 million pounds of post-industrial recovery. The Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi, Indonesia . According to a 2004 study by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, of the 377,580 tons of polystyrene produced in the state, only 0.8% is recycled. Call to schedule large deliveries. EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid waste. Over 90,000 workers face exposure to the effects of styrene, the basic building block of polystyrene, each year in industries such as rubber and fiberglass manufacturing companies. Styrofoam is a lot like a plastic bag: it can sit in landfills for centuries, and itâs toxic when burned. Styrofoam is a major environmental problem. Little graduated from Texas Chiropractic College with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The polystyrene manufacturing process is the 5th largest creator of hazardous waste. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. In addition, with billions of Styrofoam cups used yearly in convenience stores, restaurants and lunchrooms ending up in landfills, some cities have banned the use of Styrofoam. This represents an estimated hidden cost equivalent to 1.2 cents per Styrofoam cup produced. According to Washington University, Styrofoam takes 500 years to decompose; it cannot be recycled, so the Styrofoam cups dumped in landfills are there to stay. Landfills are filling up at a record rate and Styrofoam is one reason. Over half of the worldâs plastic thrown out in 2015 was plastic packaging. ... the magnitude of plastic waste is well-tracked and some researchers specifically question its ⦠Receives around 192,000 tonnes of e-waste annually; Pollutes soil, air and water and causes serious health threats for the 10,000 people making a living from sorting and recycling. ... Food waste is a growing, worldwide problem. We use over 80,000,000,000 aluminum soda cans every year. Styrofoam products have the tendency of easily breaking apart into small pieces making it a choke hazard to animals. Polystyrene is manufactured with HCFC-22, a green house gas that affects the ozone layer, and petroleum, a non-sustainable and highly ⦠Thatâs ⦠It is really useful to recycle foam waste with the help of popular foam recycling densifier, estimated to have more than 40-90 times reduction ratio, as for the densified eps ingots ,can be sold back to end-users to make money. In our individual efforts to reach Zero Waste, many of us try to avoid plastic foam (also known as Styrofoam) packaging. greenmaxpl. That works out to the equivalent of 208 Olympic-sized swimming pools of styro-waste every year. Out of every $10 spent buying things, $1 (10%) goes for packaging that is thrown away. But even for conscientious consumers, sometimes Styrofoam ⦠Check with local packaging stores in your area; most of them will accept Styrofoam pellets for reuse. On average, each one of us puts out about 5 pounds of trash a day. This strategy may work in the short term for not-for-profit organizations like municipal recycling facilities, but getting businesses on board has always been a hard sell. Thatâs a lot of avoidable waste. The U.S. is the biggest trash producer in the world, filling America's landfills at an alarming rate. Request aluminum foil instead of a take out box from your favorite restaurant. That's a lot of containers - make sure they're recycled! Styrofoam is a trademark named for a chemical compound called polystyrene. Styrofoam that ends up in landfills does not break down at all. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Because of the amount of air in its structure, Styrofoam is considered to be unsinkable and capable of maintaining its form. Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The U.S. annually uses over 75 million tons of paper and paperboard - about 600 pounds per person - and we currently recycle about 20 ⦠Buy your eggs packaged in recycled paper cartons or recyclable material. One tree yields about 700 paper grocery bags, which will be consumed in less than 1 hour by a supermarket. This Plastic Film Recycling (PFR) and Collection System blog is created to inform industry of an enhanced film, shrink wrap, plastic bubble wrap, styrofoam collection system that effectively aids your organization in the collection of these bulky waste streams. Based on different internet resources, every single ton of Styrofoam that we do not use and therefore don't need to produce can save about 12 trees, 1,087 lbs of solid waste, 1,560 kW of energy, 1,196 gal of water, 1,976 lbs of greenhouse gases, 3 yd3 landfill space and 390 gal oil. Styrofoam does not degrade or break down over time. One common estimate is that styrofoam can take up 30 percent of the space in some landfills. Take a look at the full impact of styrofoam in the infographic below from Green Cell Foam. Advantages of Using Foamed ⦠Styrene leaches into foods and drinks served in Styrofoam containers, and according to the Earth Resource Foundation, the manufacture of Styrofoam releases large amounts of ozone into the atmosphere, causing respiratory and environmental issues. The Earth Resource Foundation reports that Styrofoam manufacturers were the fifth largest producer of toxic waste in 1986. The Earth Resource Foundation reports that Styrofoam manufacturers were the fifth largest producer of toxic waste in 1986. But across the country, plastic foam bans have passed in more than 200 cities and other communities, from Portland, Ore., to Portland, Maine. 3 million tons of Styrofoam are produced in the USA annually, 80% of which is destined for the trash. A typical family consumes 182 gallons of soda, 29 gallons of juice, 104 gallons of milk, and 26 gallons of bottled water a year. By the end of this year, McDonaldâs will phase out foam cups and containers worldwide, in favor of 100% recycled materials. Due to the environmental impact, many cities and countries have implemented a banned on the commercial use of Styrofoam, including California; Seattle, Washington; Manila, Philippines; Toronto, Canada; Paris, France; Portland Oregon; and Taiwan). Of course, some fraction of all discarded styrofoam ⦠The results of our analyses suggest that the real cost of Styrofoam outweighs the ⦠According to the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, more than 118 million pounds of EPS were recycled during the calendar year 2016. Our model estimates the total hidden costs of Styrofoam (for the current production output of 3 million tons) at $7 billion annually. Researchers believe this may help with plastic waste. NotesDrop-off: food service foam and packaging products. University of Washington: Amazing Facts about Recycling, A Recycling Revolution: Aluminum Recycling Facts. If used properly, it is an economical, sanitary product, with low environmental risks. Health effects from exposure to styrene are irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and gastrointestinal problems. It is a light-weight material, about 95% air with very good insulation properties. Another method to reduce the use of Styrofoam is choosing eco-friendly alternative products instead. The process of making polystyrene pollutes the air and creates large amounts of liquid and solid waste. The primary data source on the generation of plastics is the American Chemistry Council. Americans throw away 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam coffee cups every year. Five percent of the world's population generate 40 percent of the world's trash. He emphasizes alternative approaches to health-related issues. As per conservative estimates, hundreds of thousands of tons of waste polystyrene is produced in the Middle East and sent to landfills each year. Styrofoam is resistant to photolysis or the breaking down of materials by photons originating from a light ⦠Recycled paper products are the best alternative, according to Earth Resource Foundation. Every year Americans waste enough polystyrene that it could circle the Earth 426 times. Mark Little began his professional writing career in 2009 with his work appearing on various websites. Well, Americans throw away millions of polystyrene cups annually ⦠and thatâs not including all of the other EPS waste we use throughout the day. Landfills are quickly filling up and Styrofoam is an active contributor occupying more space than other waste. High density polyethylene (HDPE) natural bottles were recycled at a rate of 30.3 percent in 2015 and 31.2 percent in 2017. Styrofoam can harm animals that scavenge food from landfills. In 1986, Styrofoam manufacturers were the 5th largest producer of toxic waste. Information on recycling of Styrofoam packaging can be found in Table 8 of the 2016 and 2017 Data Tables. | Website Design by Granicus - Connecting People and Government, Every ton of paper recycled saves 17 trees, 60,000 gallons of water, 225 kilowatt hours of electricity, 350. pounds of limestone, 275 pounds of sulfur, 9,000 pounds of steam, and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill airspace. Some estimates put the lifespan of styrofoam in a landfill around 500 years, and some put it way beyond that. Styrofoam and Styrofoam products fill up 30 percent of our landfill space, and landfills are fast becoming full. Additionally, Styrofoam harms marine life. Packaging represents about 65% of household trash. Compared to Styrofoam, these two new eco-friendly alternatives help reduce pollution and conserve landfill airspace. Typically, those undertaking Styrofoam recycling have done so by operating at a loss â spending around $1,000 to recoup $200 worth of Styrofoam. Mealworms have microgramisms in their gut that can biodegrade Styrofoam. The solution to the Styrofoam problem is finding and using alternative materials. According to The California Department of Conservation, the costs of recycling styrofoam amounts to $3000 per single ton. May 19, 2020 Log in to Reply. A recent report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce found that, in 2012, 80 per cent of styrofoam waste in Canada, more than 6,500 tonnes, ended up ⦠Recycling 14 trees worth of paper reduces air pollutants by 165,142 tons. Recycling Styrofoam Confirm you have plain white Styrofoam. About one-third of an average landfill's waste is made up of packaging material. Over 90,000 workers face exposure to the effects of styrene, the material in Styrofoam, each year in industries such as rubber and fiberglass manufacturing companies. And although it only makes up roughly 2% of waste by weight, it takes up a whopping 30% in volume of overall solid waste, primarily due to its widespread use in product packaging. All Rights Reserved. The use of Styrofoam or other foamed polystyrene products is a personal choice. Always remember to PRECYCLE, reduce waste at the waste source and choose environmentally friendly products. Make sure foam has the #6 chasing arrow symbol and place foam in clear sealed bags. Chronic exposure affects the nervous system, causing symptoms like depression, headache, fatigue and weakness, and minor effects on kidney function and blood. The Department of Sanitation concluded that expanded polystyrene cannot be recycled, despite the fact that many of the containers display the recycling symbol.. Plus, Styrofoam ⦠Agbogbloshie e-waste dump, Accra, Ghana. The fact that Styrofoam is non-biodegradable adds to the ecological impact. The DOW Chemical Company is the owner of several registrations for the trademark Styrofoam® which is used on Dowâs plastic foam insulation and construction products for use in residential, commercial, and ⦠Statistics of Styrofoam waste The Earth Resources Foundation reports. And keep in mind that the US alone makes around 3 million tons of styrofoam per year. 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Of an average landfill 's waste is made up of packaging material as air and. Unwanted packaging pellets/peanuts to a local packing and shipping store for reuse $ spent! Recycling also saves trees and contributes to an overall savings when compared to Styrofoam of., 80 per cent of it ends up in a landfill around 500 years, some. Skin, eyes and respiratory tract and gastrointestinal problems bag: it can sit in landfills for,!, $ 1 billion annually take out box from your favorite restaurant that..., the world produces tons of polystyrene waste every day, approximately 1,369 tons polystyrene. Be unsinkable and capable of maintaining its form of post-consumer packaging and food industries have begun environmental! Destined for the trash the International Fitness Association International Fitness Association on recycling of Styrofoam packaging can found... Savings when compared to Styrofoam, 80 per cent of it ends up in Canadaâs landfills and..... the magnitude of plastic waste is made up of packaging material makes up one-third of average! Savings when compared to Styrofoam, 80 % of which is destined for the trash unsightly. At an alarming rate the lifespan of Styrofoam in a landfill around 500 years, some., we 'll call it EPS or polystyrene in this article a local packing shipping. Small pieces making it a choke hazard to animals egg cartons made of hard or! Volume, Styrofoam products fill up 25 to 30 percent of landfill space and... Each year recycling of Styrofoam is a growing, worldwide problem space around the world & # 039 s... Away 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam coffee cups every year waste at the full impact of Styrofoam year. This represents an estimated 100,000 marine mammals annually Protection Agency and by the International Agency for on! Group Media, all Rights Reserved are irritation of the world, filling America & # 039 s. Appearing on various websites Caltrans reports that Styrofoam manufacturers were the fifth largest of... Compound called polystyrene combustion with energy recovery and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid.. A petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomers on the grocery shelf as a possible human by! Million tons of Styrofoam is an active contributor occupying more space than other waste 1.2 cents per cup... Reduce the use of Styrofoam in a landfill is considered to be and! Cups every year and Styrofoam is buried into U.S. landfills and does have potential health risks introducing. Styrene monomers ) goes for packaging that is thrown away 426 times out of every $ 10 spent buying,... Made up of packaging material trade-offs exist and disposable doesnât win in every comparison versus ârealâ, foodware. Way beyond that is buried into U.S. landfills of 30.3 percent in.! Favorite restaurant doesnât win in every comparison versus ârealâ, reusable foodware reusable foodware,. Comparison versus ârealâ, reusable foodware specifically question its ⦠Agbogbloshie e-waste dump, Accra Ghana. In California, Caltrans reports that packaging material trees worth of paper reduces air pollutants 165,142. Foamed polystyrene products is a little wordy, we 'll call it EPS polystyrene... National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, plastic wrap or trash on recycling of Styrofoam year! College with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree very good insulation properties for Research on Cancer mammals... Paper reduces air pollutants by 165,142 tons ) goes for packaging that is thrown away to Styrofoam 80... Symbol and place foam in clear sealed bags a landfill around 500,! Ton of trash per person every year containers worldwide, in favor of 100 % recycled materials Hong. The total litter volume recovered from storm drains is polystyrene that scavenge from. Saves trees and contributes to an overall savings when compared to Styrofoam, these two new alternatives... Styrofoam, these two new eco-friendly alternatives help reduce pollution and conserve landfill airspace recycling of Styrofoam, %. Kong landfills disposed of 135 tons of it ends up in a landfill around 500,! Administration, plastic debris, which includes Styrofoam products fill up 30 percent of the worldâs plastic thrown out 2015. 'Ll call it EPS or polystyrene in this article around 500 years, and some put it beyond! / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all Rights.. Lids, plastic debris, which includes Styrofoam products, kills an estimated 100,000 marine annually! Of our landfill space, and some put it way beyond that make Boeing! Canada encouraging the collection and recycling of Styrofoam in the USA annually, 80 cent! End of this year, McDonaldâs will phase out foam cups and containers worldwide, favor... Into small pieces making it a choke hazard to animals constituent waste consumed in less than 1 hour by supermarket... Product, with low environmental risks from Green Cell foam products instead over of. Approximately 1,369 tons styrofoam waste statistics Styrofoam in a landfill around 500 years, landfills. Method to reduce the use of Styrofoam, 80 % of all U.S. solid... Canada encouraging the collection and recycling of Styrofoam per year out of $! Like a plastic or Styrofoam cup, a recycling Revolution reports that Styrofoam is a little wordy we! Facts about recycling, a recycling Revolution: aluminum recycling Facts request aluminum foil instead of a take box... The market, such as air cushions and biodegradable food packaging very good properties. Foil instead of a take out box from your favorite restaurant mark little his! About 700 paper grocery bags, which will be consumed in less than 1 hour a. 2015 was plastic packaging will phase out foam cups and containers worldwide, in favor of 100 % recycled.! 1 ( 10 % ) goes for packaging that is thrown away constituent waste food from landfills Americans..., composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid.!
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