Why styrofoam is not recyclable

Styro-Go and others like them are vital to addressing this often-ignored recycling issue, because although Styrofoam seems to occupy a relatively small proportion of landfills, with Styrofoam manufacturers often claiming it makes up only 1 percent of the total waste, that figure can be misleading. She is a writer, wannabe hippie and lover of soft cheeses. She lives in Edmonton, Canada, with her daughter.

You can also find Madeleine at her blog, Sweet Madeleine. Skip to content. Related Post. Nov 11, Earth Nov 8, Earth There are some exceptions, but very few local governments accept them in curbside recycling. In most curbside recycling programs, EPS is part of a longer list of recycling contaminants items that cannot be recycled curbside, but are placed in the recycling cart anyway. These unaccepted materials do more harm than good when recycled curbside by potentially causing entire loads of recycling to be rejected and making it harder to recover accepted recyclable material.

Find out what other materials could be causing harm to the recycling process here. We now know that EPS is not generally recyclable in curbside recycling programs, but then why does it have a recycling symbol on it? EPS is made from petroleum, like most plastics. Since polystyrene is comprised of petroleum, it does have properties that make it technically recyclable. Is Styrofoam Packaging Recyclable? Nobody wants to leave that kind of legacy in the environment, but what are the alternatives?

Is styrofoam packaging recyclable? Because of how long it takes for styrofoam to break down naturally, the best option for recycling it is to reuse it. Some retailers and couriers accept used styrofoam they can use for packaging shipping materials. Depending on where you live, your region might have a collection program for number 6 plastics, which requires special equipment to be broken down.

But keep in mind that if the styrofoam has been contaminated with food or other non-recyclable debris, it cannot be recycled. The best option is to reduce your use of styrofoam. Try to remember your reusable container when you order takeout from a restaurant, or choose restaurants that have made the switch to cardboard takeout containers.

When shipping merchandise, the best solution is to seek sustainable packaging alternatives. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer , polystyrene is a human carcinogen, making it a problematic form of environmental pollution. Styrofoam is often coated in flame-retardant chemicals, which can leach out into our drinking water, especially when the styrofoam is exposed to heat or sunlight.

The chemicals and toxins released by polystyrene materials can also cause harm to marine life once they make their way into the ocean. Contaminants that find their way into the water where fish and marine life live are consumed by humans as seafood. By choosing polystyrene products for packaging, the shipping industry contributes to the global waste crisis.