Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, and it seems almost impossible to escape it in the modern consumer world. However, some plastics are safer than others, and it is crucial to understand the potential harm of the elements of different plastics. Number 6 plastic, also known as polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, is one of the plastic recycling codes that should be avoided or, at the very least, reused. This is because it is challenging to recycle, rarely recycled, and can cause harm to the environment and human health. Number 6 plastic is often used in food packaging, disposable cups, takeaway containers, straws, and flatware. While it is recyclable, it requires specialised handling, and most home recycling programs do not accept it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number | 6 |
| Name | Polystyrene PS or Styrofoam |
| Symbol | "PS" |
| Recyclability | Should be avoided or reused as it is hard to recycle. |
| Common Uses | Food packaging, disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, takeaway food containers, straws, bottle caps, CD cases, toys, insulation, disposable foam drinking cups, egg cartons, plastic picnic cutlery, foam packaging, "peanut" foam chips, rigid foam insulation, underlay sheeting for laminate flooring |
| Properties | Lightweight, rigid, versatile, inexpensive, good insulator, structurally weak, ultra-lightweight |
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What You'll Learn
Polystyrene is plastic #6
Plastic is everywhere in the modern consumer world. It is found in everything from food packaging to household items. Plastic #6, also known as polystyrene, is one of the many types of plastic that consumers encounter daily. Polystyrene is identified by the #6 "PS" symbol and is commonly used in foam products like Styrofoam and some hard plastics like disposable straws, flatware, and bottle caps. It is lightweight, rigid, versatile, and inexpensive, making it a popular choice for businesses. However, polystyrene is not easily recyclable, and it is often sorted out at Material Recovery Facilities and sent overseas.
Polystyrene was invented in 1839 by German apothecary Eduard Simon. It is made from the monomer styrene, derived from oil, and these monomers are polymerized to form polystyrene. The most common type of polystyrene is expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is created by expanding polystyrene plastic beads and fusing them together. This type of polystyrene is recognizable as the small bean bag balls stuck together. Polystyrene quickly accumulates an electrostatic charge, which causes it to stick to various surfaces.
While polystyrene is technically recyclable, it is not as easily accessible for everyday people to recycle. Curbside recycling programs typically do not accept polystyrene due to its challenging nature. However, there are specialist recyclers who will take clean, white polystyrene. These specialist recyclers often require that the polystyrene be free of any tape, plastic film, labels, loose parts, or glued-on cardboard. It should also be broken or cut into small pieces to facilitate recycling.
Despite the recyclability of polystyrene, it is recommended to avoid plastic #6 along with plastics #1, #3, and #7 due to their potential harm to health and the environment. Even when reused, plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged. Therefore, it is best to opt for materials like metal and glass whenever possible. Additionally, some local waste recycling factories may not recycle all types of plastic, so it is essential to check their capabilities.
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It's also known as Styrofoam
Number 6 plastic, also known as polystyrene (PS) or Styrofoam, is a type of plastic that is hard to recycle and should be avoided or reused. It is often found in foam packaging and food containers, such as disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go containers. It is also used in some hard plastics like disposable straws, flatware, and bottle caps.
Styrofoam is made from the monomer styrene, which is derived from oil, like most plastics. These monomers are polymerized to form polystyrene. While it is possible to recycle Styrofoam, it is not as easily accessible for everyday people as other types of plastic. Home recycling programs typically do not accept it, so it must be taken to a specialist recycler.
To recycle Styrofoam, it must be clean and free of any tape, plastic film, labels, loose parts, or glued-on cardboard. It should be separated from regular recycling and broken or cut into small pieces to maximize the amount that can be recycled. Only white polystyrene is usually accepted at recycling facilities, so any colored foam must be removed.
The Green Dining Alliance, a community of individuals and businesses committed to recognizing the harmful effects of #6 plastic and Styrofoam, encourages people to refuse to use it and support companies that offer environmentally responsible options. They also require member restaurants to ban the use of all polystyrene. The entire city of New York has also banned the use of polystyrene.
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It's lightweight, rigid, and inexpensive
Number 6 plastic, also known as polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, is a lightweight, rigid, and inexpensive plastic that is commonly used in a variety of products. Due to its versatility and low cost, it has become prevalent in our daily lives.
Lightweight
Polystyrene is an extremely lightweight material, which makes it convenient for packaging and transportation. Its low weight contributes to its popularity, especially in the shipping industry, as it reduces fuel costs during transport.
Rigid
Despite its lightweight nature, polystyrene can maintain its rigidity. This makes it suitable for various applications, such as food packaging and insulation. Its rigidity also allows it to provide structural support in certain constructions.
Inexpensive
Number 6 plastic is known for being inexpensive, which contributes to its widespread use. The low cost of polystyrene is influenced by factors such as petroleum subsidies and its light weight, which keeps shipping costs low. This makes it a popular choice for businesses and consumers alike.
While number 6 plastic has its advantages in terms of weight, strength, and cost, it is important to note that it is considered harmful to the environment. Its lightweight nature contributes to its ability to disperse easily, leading to pollution in natural environments, including beaches and marine ecosystems. Additionally, polystyrene is difficult to recycle through standard recycling programs, and specialized recyclers are often required to process it properly.
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It's rarely recycled
Number 6 plastic, also known as polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, is rarely recycled due to several reasons. Firstly, polystyrene products, including disposable coffee cups, takeaway food containers, straws, and flatware, are cheap, lightweight, and easy to ship, making them widely accessible and used. However, their lightweight and fragile nature also means they break up easily, dispersing into the environment and causing pollution and harm to marine life.
While polystyrene can technically be recycled, it is not commonly accepted by home recycling programs or local recycling centres. It often requires specialised handling and must be taken to a dedicated specialist recycler, which may not be conveniently accessible to individuals. Even when collected, polystyrene has very little value as a post-consumer commodity, and there is a limited market for purchasing sorted polystyrene.
Additionally, polystyrene is challenging to recycle due to its physical characteristics. Small polystyrene items, such as utensils, straws, and bottle caps, can be difficult to sort in recycling facilities due to their size and tendency to mix with other materials. The foam variants of polystyrene, commonly used in packaging, further reduce its recyclability as they are mostly made of air, making it challenging to process.
To recycle polystyrene, it must be clean and free of any tape, plastic film, labels, loose parts, or glued-on cardboard. It should be separated from other recyclables, cut or broken into small pieces, and only white polystyrene is typically accepted by recyclers. These extra steps and requirements can deter people from recycling polystyrene, contributing to its low recycling rates.
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It's harmful to human health and the environment
Number 6 plastic, also known as polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, is considered harmful to both human health and the environment. It is identified by a #6 "PS" symbol and includes foam products like styrofoam and some hard plastics like disposable straws, flatware, and bottle caps.
Number 6 plastic is difficult to recycle due to its low value and the small size of many polystyrene items, which do not fall out easily from recycling sorting lines. As a result, these items often end up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution. The burning of plastic waste also releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, further harming the environment and human health.
Polystyrene products are cheap and lightweight, making them widely used in various industries. However, they can contain harmful chemicals that leach into food and drinks, increasing human exposure to substances linked to adverse health outcomes. These chemicals may be intentionally added to enhance certain properties, such as flexibility or flame retardancy, or they may be contaminants from recycled plastic feedstock.
The release of phthalates during the manufacture, use, and disposal of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products is another concern. Phthalates are plasticizers added to plastics to increase their flexibility, and they have been linked to a variety of adverse health outcomes, including endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and increased insulin resistance. Children may be especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of phthalates due to their developing endocrine and reproductive systems.
Additionally, studies have found microplastics in human brain samples, indicating bioaccumulation and potential neurobehavioral abnormalities. Microplastics in the bloodstream can induce cerebral thrombosis by causing cell obstruction. The presence of microplastics in the food chain and airborne plastic pollution further highlights the widespread exposure to these harmful substances.
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Frequently asked questions
Number 6 plastic stands for polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam.
Polystyrene is most easily recognized as the white foam blocks in packaging or packing peanuts. It is also commonly used in takeaway food packaging.
Number 6 plastic is used to make disposable coffee cups, takeaway "clamshell" food containers, egg cartons, plastic picnic cutlery, straws, bottle caps, CD cases, toys, and insulation.
