Expanded polystyrene, commonly known as polystyrene, is a plastic material and like all plastics it comes from petroleum and is created to last a long time. It is made of 98% air and this makes it a light, insulating and protective material. It is a non-toxic, inert material and does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrofluorchlorocarbons (HCFCs). While not toxic, it is nevertheless very resistant and, consequently, should not simply be abandoned in the environment or at sea. To dispose of it properly it is necessary to use certain solvents, otherwise it is a practically eternal material (it is unfortunately calculated that it constitutes, by volume, more than 30% of the garbage that fills landfills all over the world). If collected correctly, however, it can be recycled indefinitely and transformed into other products, just like all plastics. In this article you can find some ideas for recycling polystyrene at home, which is possible and necessary for the health of the biosphere.
Steps
Step 1. Avoid buying Styrofoam
Try to use biodegradable alternative products. For example, when you buy eggs check that they are packed in the carton and not in polystyrene.
Step 2. When the item you purchased is packed with pieces of polystyrene, try to reuse them for your next shipment
In this way you do not stimulate the demand for polystyrene. If you don't plan on having to pack something on a tight schedule, take the styrofoam pellets to a freight forwarder and give them away.
Step 3. Use styrofoam pellets or chunks of styrofoam in planters as drainage material instead of heavy pebbles
They work perfectly for this purpose. Also, if the planters are very large, they will be lighter. If you do not have the pellets, break the packaging polystyrene into small segments and insert them into the jars: you will make a little confusion with all those tiny balls that will go everywhere.
Step 4. Do some research to find the solvent that can safely degrade Styrofoam
D-Limonene and pure orange peel oil are recognized as effective.
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Pour the biodegradable solvent into a large container.
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Add the Styrofoam. The solvent should slowly destroy the plastic material.
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The resulting liquid will be very sticky and perfect as a household sealant glue.
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Step 5. Store the polystyrene in a garbage bag until it is completely full, then take it to a shop like “Mail Boxes etc.”
“They are usually happy to receive donations of polystyrene which they will reuse for shipping packaging.
Step 6. Make some polystyrene constructions
Step 7. Build a stand for Cake-Pops or a candy bouquet
Advice
- Use a brush to apply the solution like a glue.
- It is a sealant for terracotta bricks (among other things). You just have to paint it and let it dry.
- If you have an empty egg carton, use plastic eggs to hold small items (like coins). In fact, you can put some emergency savings into it in the event of a home burglary - which thief would you look for in an egg carton?
- You can also create a stamp.
Warnings
- Follow these instructions outdoors with a lot of air circulation. Toxic and / or flammable substances such as benzene, ethylene and styrene could be released.
- Although its popularity as a natural solvent is increasing, d-Limonene is still difficult to find. Do some research online and ask specialty stores.
- Make sure that neither the solvent nor the solution come into contact with your hands; use gloves that do not tear and are completely closed (without holes and made of waterproof fabric).
