To Foam, or Not to Foam

The production of Styrofoam cups requires less raw materials, labor and utilities than paper cups. Because of difference in resource requirements, the price of Styrofoam coffee cups is approximately a third of the cost of paper coffee cups. Other than the landfill issue it can almost be said that foam cups are more environmentally friendly than paper cups due to the resources required in the production.

I understand the desire to rid the world of foam products, but one must consider all sides to make a proper judgment. Also, there are recyclable foam cups. We have them here where I work and have a recycling program for our coffee cups, our aluminum cans, and the pop tops for those cans to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Jumping on the "No More Foam" bandwagon may seem politically correct right now, but there's more to the issue than just recycling. Plus, paper cups require either 2 cups or a sleeve when filled with hot beverages. Where's the conservation in that? 1 foam cup vs. 2 paper cups or a paper cup and a sleeve is certainly no competition when it comes to cost effectiveness and convenience. I think this problem needs to be approached from a different angle other than the reactionary BAN FOAM! acute one.

I found this entry very interesting and helpful in my school projects!

I am new to this "green" lifestyle. I am doing a project and i need to know whether it is ok to use foam cups or not. I always heard that it is better not to use them, but James made a very good point.

James's post is from a narrow perspective. Yes, some locations have recycling programs for styrofoam, but very few. And even those locations that offer it may not actually recycle the foam, only take it off your hands so you don't see what happens for it. If there were a big market for recycled foam there would be more recycling centers that took it.

It's a gross assumption to say using a paper hot cup requires two cups or a sleeve -- I don't use either and am fine. I'm also not sure where James gets his statistics about the resources, energy, and cost to produce a paper hot cup vs styrofoam, but it does ignore the fact that foam cups and products use petroleum products as a material for the cup. It is one of our goals here at ECOnomically Sound to reduce the use of petroleum for products like this.

There is a product that's quite good for hot cups, plates, and to-go containers -- bagasse, from sugar cane. If you are going the disposable route, that's the best alternative. But going with durable goods is the best option yet.

Being an environmentalist, or green, is a constant balancing act. Each action we take has a pro and a con side-affect. We can only make the best decision for ourselves in our own situations. Sometimes we have to take the lesser environmental path, and sometimes we can take the greater path. What's good for one isn't good for another.

It's also easy to change the focus of a conversation taking statistics out of context and apply them across the board. James did that, and without even using any statistics.

Keep reading opinions and reports about this issue, and every other one that you need to as you become more versed in the green movement. Take the actions that are best for you

I want to learn how to recycle styfrofoam plates and cups. How do we stop companies from making and distributing styrofoam? I try to recycle almost anything I can. I think we need to stop making styrofoam, plastic (throw-aways), and plastic bags immediately! RoseMary

Styrofoam can be recycled, but so few do it that it effectively isn't being recycled. The way I see we get companies from making styrofoam is for people to quit buying it and telling their providers -- stores or vendors -- they won't buy it. There are such great alternatives to it now, bagasse being my favorite.

I have long advocated that if US stores charged, as they do in Europe, people for the plastic bags they now give away at the store for purchases people would be much more conserving of them. Plastic bags have their place in life, but we tend to overuse them.

So, RoseMary, do you avoid Styrofoam at restaurants for your leftovers, or at coffee shops for your hot drinks? Do you tell the restaurants and stores you "don't do Styrofoam"? These questions aren't really geared toward you but to everyone reading this thread.

I challenge everyone to have their own durable grocery bags to cut down on paper or plastic bags, to take their own mug to the coffee shop, and to put left over food in anything but Styrofoam when they eat out.

I'm wondering about the disposal of paper/cardboard and compostable cups and plates. If there is no composting available, how long and what impact does this have in our landfills? Assuming people place these items in plastic garbage bags.... Christine

Christine, you have hit upon a huge issue -- landfills in general and the use of plastic bags in specific. It's been shown time and again that items tossed into landfills are "preserved" for a looooong time. Put them in plastic bags and they'll be around for centuries, it would seem.

I'd love to see individuals and businesses stop the use of plastic garbage bags so that the contents we throw away have a chance of decomposing. If you are throwing your compostable items into plastic they won't break down because they can't get air or water, important elements in the composting process.

Let me urge you to look around a bit more for composting options -- there must be a gardener or farmer around who would collect your compost items. Or maybe you can be the force behind developing a compost coop of restaurants and grocery stores to compost food and other compostable items, as is done in Massachusetts.

If it weren't for the plastic bags compostable cups and plates would have a better chance of decomposing than traditional paper plates and cups because they don't have the petroleum-based film that makes those items moisture proof. But, without the air and water necessary for composting, they won't decompose. I bet that's what you were saying by asking your question, huh? :~)