How to dispose of Styrofoam packaging?

What is Styrofoam?

Styrofoam is generally known as plastic and expanded polystyrene foam that is usually used for the packaging task. This is usually a kind of plastic and is made from oil so because it has a petroleum touch in it. They are usually used for disposable products as it is cheap and found easily, but that does not mean that it is good for the environment and human health as well. Styrofoam has many hazardous effects on the environment, and they should be avoided to avoid those harmful effects around you. 

Why is Styrofoam bad?

Styrofoam is now used in the world as it is quite cheaper than other plastic material, and people are adopting using them without knowing that the Styrofoam is dangerous to their health. Here are some of the hazardous effects Styrofoam has on human health and the environment. 

Human health

The workers who work with the companies who manufacture Styrofoam have regular exposure to styrene, and that causes them acute health diseases. It has been seen in those workers that they experience the below-given issues often.

• Irritation of the skin
• Irritation of the eyes
• Irritation of the upper respiratory tract
• Gastrointestinal effects

If the exposure to styrene is not stopped at the right time than it cans other major diseases as well, such as:

• Depression
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Weakness

Environment

Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and seems to keep going forever. It’s impervious to photolysis, or the separating of materials by photons beginning from light. This, joined with the way that Styrofoam glides, implies that a lot of polystyrenes have gathered along coastlines and conduits around the globe. It is viewed as a fundamental part of marine trash. Other than that, at first there were recycling companies who recycled Styrofoam, but now those companies are also diminishing with time, and the companies are not even recycling it on time? Styrofoam is also a major cause of air pollution and can cause major health issues to the people around.  Methods to dispose of Styrofoam 

• You can give away the Styrofoam to a school or art institute. Instead of throwing it away, they will use it to make something creative, and in this way, the Styrofoam will not cause any harm to the environment as well.
• Save the Styrofoam at home if you are a regular shopper. Instead of throwing it and causing harm to the people around you, you can simply save it and use it whenever the need arises. Styrofoam is good when used for the packaging of shipping products.
• If you want to dispose of the Styrofoam or you want to recycle it, then you need to understand the fact that only clean Styrofoam can be disposed of so whenever you use any polystyrene or Styrofoam plate, cup or packaging always remember to remove the dirt, debris or any food on it. Place it in a separate place away from all the other trash and then give it to the desired recycling company. This is one of the best ways to dispose of Styrofoam.