A trademark product of the DOW Company, Styrofoam, technically known as polystyrene, is a versatile product. In addition, like most types of plastics, Styrofoam too, is difficult to recycle and reuse and hence causes a lot of environmental pollution. It is a major cause for concern since unlike some forms of plastic Styrofoam is highly inflammable and its production involves the use of the carcinogenic chemical benzene.
When burnt, it gives an acrid smell along with harmful fumes of different chemicals. Ingestion of the material by unsuspecting animals can prove fatal as the material is not digestible and tends to block the digestive tracts, thereby causing death. Like most plastics known to humankind, Styrofoam is also a derived product of petroleum. Styrofoam is usually used as padding while packaging appliances, or as coffee cups, food containers and plates, or as packaging for meat products.
Most of the time since Styrofoam cannot be recycled and Styrofoam products are not accepted by local recycling plants, they end up being part of landfills. However, one can prevent Styrofoam from being part of the landfill by opting for one or more of these ways.
- Styrofoam can be utilized in crafts projects. They can be given away to a crafts store which can then sell them to customers and individuals in need of the material.
- Styrofoam can be used in potted plants as fillers and to facilitate with drainage in the pots.
- Large chunks of packaging Styrofoam can be cut to size to fill planters and vases to hold dried flowers or artificial plants and flowers.
- Finely chopped or powdered Styrofoam can be used as artificial snow on indoor Christmas trees.
- Styrofoam chunks can be used as pin cushions and needle holders for large sewing projects.
- Styrofoam has also been used as floaters to mark the placement of fishing nets in lakes and ponds.
- Large pieces of Styrofoam can be cut into smaller sections and put aside in bags. These small pieces of Styrofoam can later come handy while one needs to package or ship any goods or articles.
- One can surf the web or check the local directory for a list of companies and individuals who are interested in buying Styrofoam and reusing it.
- Styrofoam can be shredded to smaller pieces and reused to create new moulds and other plastic articles.
- Small circles of cut Styrofoam can be glued to the bottom of furniture feet and small appliances so that they don’t leave scratches on floors and counters.
- Strips of foam stuck to the bottom of doors ensure that they close softly.
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