While it can be recycled, the recycling market is diminishing. Another reason that Styrofoam is harmful for the environment is that it is made … Definitely. If you’re privileged to live in a place where the water is drinkable, great. But it doesn’t hurt to ask! Styrofoam is a good thermal insulator but independently isn’t weighty enough to use as a sound absorbing panel. This means their products weigh far less than the traditional versions, allowing them to get products to the consumer with 50% fewer carbon emissions. Say buh-bye to chemicals, toxins and additives and say hello to an all-around healthier lifestyle. We’re sharing some of our favorite eco-friendly products, insider tips, and ways you can use what you already have at home to lessen your impact. Polystyrene is a light-weight material, about 95% air, with very good insulation properties and is used in all types of products from cups that keep your beverages hot or cold to packaging material that keep your computers safe during shipping. To be honest, we’re sick of the judgmental “all or nothing” approach that often goes hand-in-hand with the eco-conscious community. Packing peanuts made from corn will dissolve in water. Here are a few recipes I'm excited to try. When you minimize a program, it shows any other open program that was behind its window. They get used once, then end up in a landfill. Styrofoam monopolizes precious landfill space; plus, scientists believe it can potentially persist in its solid form for thousands of years. You don’t have to be 100% perfect. Minimise our footprint. Choose cardboard or plastic egg cartons when purchasing from a store, and try to reuse at a farm whenever possible no matter what kind of carton you get. We use it in our campervan so we can drink tap water no matter where we’re parked! Here’s the cool part: There is a brand that has completely eliminated plastic packaging from all of its products, making it super easy to find a zero waste alternative. The batts can be used in walls, but are not as rigid as other products. China has stopped accepting these shipments, and therefore, many recyclables are ending up in landfills... or even worse, the ocean or other waterways. Instead of trying them all at once, take it one step at a time. Styrofoam is the trademarked term used for polystyrene foam, a petroleum-based plastic. Always use plastic or glass reusable cups at home. But here's a sad truth: Even when you toss something in the recycling, it often doesn't end up being reused. Minimize and minimise are examples of a group of words that are spelled with a “z” in American English and with an “s” in British English. Dryer sheets are another source of — you guessed it — microplastics. And that the infamous "trash island" in the Pacific is growing. Obviously there are always going to be things you want to buy new — like underwear and toothbrushes, duh! Just think about the amount of plastic you could eliminate from your life if you were able to cut out the packaging…. 6 plastic is never on the “safe plastics” lists that I’ve seen, polystyrene does NOT contain BPA. Styrofoam is technically plastic number 6, polystyrene. However, if you’re in the market for a new water bottle, invest in a sturdy one that you'll be able to use for years to come. Of course, you can make a personal effort simply by packing your own “no-waste lunch.”. What a simple solution! The material can take hundreds of years to decompose, increasing the clutter in already-full landfills. And when it comes to making body scrubs, a simple combination of coconut oil, essential oils and a natural exfoliant like coffee grounds, coarse salt or cane sugar does the trick quite well. With all these strikes against it, I almost don’t care whether plastic recycling for number 6 is available or sustainable – it stands to reason that toxins are released in its creation, likely in the recycling process, and definitely in the usage and disposal of Styrofoam containers. Not only are you going to be able to save a ton of packaging (wahoo! At best, its properties are sound resistant. Styrofoam packing peanuts are one of the most common uses for Styrofoam. I’ve tried a ton of different natural deodorants and have had great luck with Piper Wai, which comes in a glass jar that are great for reusing. 'Nuff said. While it won't make a sturdy foundation, Styrofoam cement can be used as non-load-bearing interior walls, insulation and garden planters. While we’re on the subject of travel… the next time you stay at a hotel and you see those mini toiletries, avoid the urge to stash them in your purse. Also, I’ve never seen a zero waste option for toilet cleaner before, so it’s a really good way to make a simple plastic-free swap! Compared to Styrofoam, these two new eco-friendly alternatives help reduce pollution and conserve landfill airspace. We’ve used solid shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, face wash, perfume, eye makeup remover and bug spray (to name a few). You can use materials that you already have in your home or you can buy from a DIY store for a low price. Cut out the rectangle that you traced on the cup using a knife or scissors. The restaurant might even thank you for saving them the cost of to-go containers. Privacy Policy. How often do you run into Styrofoam? Single-use razors will pile up in the landfill, while razors with interchangeable heads create less waste over time. Most notable, are higher pitched sounds, like a child's voice, or brisk, soft footsteps. How to minimize all windows and get to the desktop. The rigid panels of Owens-Corning’s 700 series can be used in walls or wrapped and hung as acoustic panels. There’s a lot to think about and brands sometimes make it difficult to find the answers you’re looking for. There are all sorts of options, and some are better than others. But we do want to remind you (and ourselves!) If you haven't tried a menstrual cup, now's the time to get on board! Refuse Styrofoam cups whenever possible. Don't want to fill them up with dirt because they have to be moved to a sheltered area during the winter. Start with what you can swap. And in the window properties drop-down menu press N to minimize the window. Instead of buying a fancy eco-friendly container for takeaway food, use a container you already have at home. These are things you use on a near daily basis. If you don’t speak the local language, use Google Translate and memorize (or write down!) August 24, 2010 Get friendly with local thrift stores or join a “Buy Nothing” Facebook group in your area (they are an incredible resource!). What if I told you there are simple swaps and changes you can make to reduce how much plastic you use? Or that plastic takes up to 1,000 years to full decompose. We are not perfect, and we are still learning about ways to eliminate plastic from our lives. You can get an additional $10 off when you use the coupon code: Wandering10. All Rights Reserved. Styrofoam is a trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), commonly called "Blue Board", manufactured as foam continuous building insulation board used in walls, roofs, and foundations as thermal insulation and water barrier. Related: Check out our eco-friendly gear in our online storefront! Toilet bowl cleaner: Not the sexiest product to talk about, but I was super impressed with how much it foamed up and how well it cleaned our toilet. In pots with little to no drainage, the area of Styrofoam may be waterlogged and cause these plant roots to rot or die. We love our Hydro Flask water bottles because they come with a lifetime warranty and they keep our water icy cold. Is the stick between the two cotton bits made of plastic? Many North American businesses have opted to reduce their use of non-biodegradable packaging to be more environmentally conscious, yet Styrofoam is still used in a high volume in some companies. You can find about 40 drop-off centers HERE for personal use or search Earth911 for other possible locations near you, or if you’re in Oregon learn more here. Here's a fun little "rule" to remember: Reduce, Refuse, Reuse then Recycle. Instead, fill up at the tap. Let that sink in for a second because that’s huge! Do everything you can to extend that lifespan and keep them out of landfills. Can I use rigid styrofoam on top of top plate to minimize thermal bridge from trusses. In some products, soft water (a hardness level less than 5 grains per gallon) will cause foam in oil. (Yay, we thought so!) Expanded polystyrene is commonly called Styrofoam, and is used to make things like disposable cups, plates, take-out containers and packing peanuts. There aren’t any studies evaluating the effects of styrene on children, and although it isn’t likely that styrene causes a toxic buildup, it’s still a potential carcinogen on which many kids’ eat lunch on a daily basis. There are many package-free stores popping up in cities all over the world where you can buy things like pasta, quinoa, nuts, dried fruit, spices and lots more without the packaging. Stasher is one of the best brands on the market, but these are a good budget-friendly option that we personally use. article. As bans on single-use plastic bags and straws gain momentum across the globe, attention is now focused on another mighty environmental opponent: styrofoam. So, essentially we're consuming tiny bits of plastic. Instead of plastic wrap, save your leftovers using silicone lids or eco-friendly beeswax wrap. Also, we used to like putting dryer sheets in our backpacks and packing cubes to keep our clothes smelling fresh while traveling. Please see our web site for more information about recycling options! The good news is that a growing number of governments are taking action and demonstrating that all nations, whether rich or poor, can become global environmental leaders. There are other ways to reduce our impact on the environment that have nothing to do with plastic. These products come to you in compostable cardboard instead of a jug that’ll sit in landfill far beyond your lifetime. ... “Not only were we able to create activated carbon for purifying water but we were also able to reduce styrofoam waste, solving two global problems with just one solution,” Cofer said in a TED Talk on the breakthrough. Use Styrofoam to Make a Floating Tray for the Pool. Enter your email below and we'll send you our FREE e-book with our 33 Best Responsible Travel Tips! Styrofoam is nearly unsinkable. ), but you can also choose exactly what goes into each item. There’s just no need for them. According to our research, the use of reusable plastic trays instead of Styrofoam would take us a great step further in saving the environment. Every time you brew a cup, a puppy dies… err… a (super unnecessary) plastic container gets added to a landfill. Find alternatives you can use instead. If you happen to be associated with a big company that uses a lot of foam packaging, you might be able to start a recycling program following the tips HERE. The number-one way to reduce plastic waste is to cut back on the amount we use in our daily lives. This helps reduce the demand for fossil fuels, too. Eliminating water from their products has allowed EC30 to get rid of all plastic packaging. Psst! Win win. 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From petroleum, an obvious non-renewable resource, and some are better than others infamous `` trash island '' the... Much room for improvement and are constantly seeking ways we can do something about it that! ) where.