Styrofoam Facts…..
In Hawaii, we use more Styrofoam per capita than any other state. With the popularity of plate
lunches in our culture, many businesses and consumers are beginning to question its health and
environmental impacts. Cities and nations are banning the use of Styrofoam.
What is Styrofoam? Styrofoam is a Dupont trade name for EPS foam which is made with
petroleum and is one of the most widely used plastics. It is commonly used in “clamshell”
containers for food, cups for beverages, throw-away coolers as well as in packaging.
Health Concerns:
Environmental Concerns:

Toxic chemicals leach out of
Styrofoam and into the food they contain –
especially when heated.

Styrofoam’s main component is
styrene, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin.
Exposure to styrene is linked to cancers,
hormonal disorders, and various other
diseases. Respiratory illnesses are the
number one offender of styrene.

Styrene is classified as a possible
human carcinogen, a neurotoxin and
endocrine disruptor by the EPA and
International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Acute health effects of exposure to
styrene include irritation of the skin, eyes
and upper respiratory tract along with
gastrointestinal effects.

Chronic exposure affects the central
nervous symptom with symptoms of
depression, headache, fatigue and weakness
and can cause minor effects on kidney
function and blood.

A 1986 EPA report on solid waste
identified Styrofoam manufacturing as the 5th
largest producer of hazardous waste.

57 chemical byproducts are released
during the combustion of polystyrene foam.

Styrofoam does not biodegrade in our
lifetimes. It breaks into micro-plastics
making it hard to clean up

Styrofoam that is blown into the
oceans and other waterways in Hawai‘i
contribute to the Pacific Garbage Patch which
is estimated to be twice the size of Texas,
toxic to ocean wildlife, and a threat to the
entire food chain.

Animals and marine species often
mistake Styrofoam for food or nesting
materials. Over 1 million seabirds and
100,000 marine mammals die each year due
to ingestion of or entanglement in plastics.

Less than 1% of Styrofoam is recycled
and most of it ends up in landfills. California
reduced its landfill material by 30% after
implementing bans on Styrofoam.

1990 was the last year McDonalds
phased out most Styrofoam they used which
reduced their solid waste output by 90%.
Upon completion of our Styrofoam survey we will be advertising the names of restaurants who
are “Styrofoam Free” and making the list available to those who want to support this health and
environmental initiative. We hope to have overwhelming voluntary support.
If you have any questions or have decided to go Styrofoam Free let Gordon know at 337-9977.