Either Costco was having a sale on Styrofoam or you are still using leftover cups from last year’s company picnic, thinking its better to use what you already have instead of buying new supplies. The truth is that Styrofoam is one of the least biodegradable products you can put into the waste stream and has no environmentally-positive associations. In fact, if a potential client or partner walks into your office and sees that stack of white cups on top of the cooler, you will probably send them running.
Even though polystyrene products (we all know it by its brand name “Styrofoam”) are almost entirely comprised of air, the remaining white stuff is very harmful for human health and the environment. Here’s what you need to know:
-Polystyrene is made from petroleum. Do we even need to tell you why this is bad?
-Workers who manufacture Styrofoam products are exposed to styrene, a chemical classified as a carcinogen by the EPA. Similarly, if you heat up the material in the microwave, styrene will be released into your food and digestive system.
-The manufacturing process also releases countless other hazardous compounds into the air, which contribute heavily to air pollution.
-Manufacturing polystyrene releases ozone-depleting substances into the air. The ozone is shrinking due to this type of human activity, meaning we’re exposed to more of the sun’s harmful rays. While the situation has improved due to regulations on CFCs since the 80s, there are still suspicions that ozone-depletors continue to be released from the manufacturing process.
-Polystyrene/Styrofoam does not biodegrade. Styrofoam litter will only break up into smaller pieces, creating a choking hazard for household animals and wildlife. It is a huge space-filler in landfills.
What you can do
1. Do not buy Styrofoam.
2. Encourage employees to bring their own containers to work. This cuts back on waste in general and teaches people to be more conscious about their actions.
3. If you insist on providing cups for water, make the switch to sustainable products. Compostable paper products are a good bet, especially if you have a compost bin available. Check out sustainableparty.com before your next company picnic!
