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| Resin Identification Code 6: Polystyrene |
Going out to eat is lovely, especially when you end up with leftovers for the next day's meal, but nothing frustrates me more than receiving a polystyrene container to house my meal for only a day or so. Commonly mistaken for styrofoam, polystyrene does not biodegrade for hundreds of years and is resistant to photolysis.[1]
In fact, polystyrene foam is a major component of plastic debris in the ocean, where it becomes toxic to marine life. Foamed polystyrene blows in the wind and floats on water, and is abundant in the outdoor environment.[2]
Have you received one of these containers?
Thoroughly clean it and reuse it; a number of ideas can be found below, or let us know how you put the pesky polystyrene to use!
- Reuse containers for soup or ice cream as measuring cups.
- Food storage for leftovers in the fridge or bringing a lunch.
- Craft, art, or hobby storage
- Paint trays
- Decorate and use to house a gift.
- Indoor compost container
- Insulation behind switch plates or walls
- Cut up and use as a fill for bean bags or pet beds.
- Cut up and use as a filler in the bottom of a plant's pot.
- Seed germinating trays, just poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Shred and use as packing peanuts for mailing, storage, or moving.
- Shape and use as a stamp.
- Create weather-proof decorations.
- Cut to size and use as plant markers.
- Cut to size, decorate, and use as a bookmark.
- As a scoop for dirt, seed, or pet food.
