Styrofoam is useful, but has great environmental impact
Styrofoam is recyclable, but many still do not know what to do when it comes to disposal
Styrofoam, whose technical name is expanded polystyrene or EPS, is currently associated with an increasing number of consumption habits, whether to ensure that the beer stays cold, preserve medicines from excessive heat or any of its other uses. numerous functions. When disposing of it, it is not uncommon for it to end up in the common garbage. What a lot of people don't know is that Styrofoam is a type of plastic and is recyclable.
What is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is a synthetic product made from petroleum - the term styrofoam is a registered trademark of a German company, but in Portuguese the word has already been dictionated and is used to refer to products made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), the name Styrofoam Technician . According to the Brazilian Association of Expanded Polystyrene (ABRAPEX), EPS does not contain any toxic or dangerous products for the environment and its production is free of CFCs. Styrofoam is made up of 98% air and 2% plastic - the “cells” that together form the Styrofoam are filled with air.
Styrene, the main raw material used in the production of Styrofoam, is a chemical compound that has been the subject of dozens of studies since plastics were developed. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) views this substance with suspicion. After observing professionals who have daily contact with this product, the agency found that people exposed to styrene began to suffer from health problems such as headaches, depression, hearing loss and neurological problems.
According to the EPA, “several epidemiological studies suggest a link between exposure to styrene and an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. However, the evidence is not conclusive due to exposure to multiple chemicals and insufficient information on levels and duration of exposure”.
Environmental impact
Styrofoam decomposition time is considered indeterminate - some manufacturers indicate that the material is not biodegradable, does not disintegrate, does not disappear into the environment and does not contain CFC gas. In other words, in theory, it can last forever. However, as it is a plastic derivative, it tends to degrade little by little. If incorrectly disposed of in the environment over time, the styrofoam plastic tends to break, giving rise to microplastic, which has the ability to absorb toxic chemical compounds such as pesticides, pesticides and heavy metals such as mercury and lead, present mainly in rivers, lakes and oceans.
- Understand the environmental impact of plastic waste on the food chain
Many animals such as fish, turtles, whales and dolphins confuse this microplastic and small pieces of Styrofoam with marine organisms - and end up “feeding” on them. The result of this is the intoxication not only of marine animals, but also of any being that feeds on them, including human beings who later feed on these animals.
Is Styrofoam recyclable?
Yes, Styrofoam is recyclable. The main problem for recycling this type of product is economic viability. According to a study carried out by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), around 2.5 million tons of Styrofoam are consumed worldwide each year. In Brazil, consumption is 36.6 thousand tons, about 1.5% of the total.
Styrofoam, in addition to being very light, occupies a very large space, which corroborates its low selling price in the recycling industry. In other words, Styrofoam is recyclable, but it is not a viable option for collectors and cooperatives, which in practice makes recycling very difficult. However, there are disposal points that accept Styrofoam. The ideal is to make a conscious consumption of this type of waste, avoiding it whenever possible - as well as other types of plastic waste. If you don't have a way, check the disposal stations closest to your home on the free search engine at eCycle portal . The environment thanks you.
