Why Styrofoam products ban is no better than recycling?

Styrofoam ban sounds like a good idea when it comes to its value, but long-term effects must be considered before implementation. In January, California failed to pass a law banning all food-service foam products in the state, that’s really a good thing. The fact proves that Styrofoam products ban is no better than recycling.

Styrofoam products are significantly cheaper and consume less resources than similar products made of different materials. For example, making disposable paper cups requires at least 20% more fossil fuel and almost 50% more electricity than Styrofoam cups. Paper products are most likely to replace Styrofoam ones, causing more waste, water and air pollution than Styrofoam. A study released by the California Water Control Commission concluded that “If this alternative is discarded in the same way as a banned product, simple alternatives do not reduce waste generation.”

Actually, there is little difference between throwing away Styrofoam cups and paper ones, and paper products used in food processing are less recyclable than Styrofoam. Usually, Styrofoam cups can be reused after washing, but paper cups can only be used once. In addition, paper products frequently are thinly lined with plastic to make them sturdier and water-resistant.

In order to solve the problem caused by Styrofoam waste, it is best to attribute its improper treatment to the Styrofoam itself. Considering its lightweight and bulky properties, which makes Styrofoam recycling difficult and uneconomical. GREENMAX screw compactor can help you remove your concerns by foam volume reduction. With advanced technology, the Styrofoam waste can be compressed at a high ratio of 50:1. The recycled Styrofoam can be used to make new foam products, thus helping us save more original materials.

There is no doubt that Styrofoam products ban is no better than recycling, and Styrofoam recycling is getting better with the application of the screw compactor.

This entry was posted in Styrofoam recycling and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply