Sure, foam packaging is convenient. It keeps drinks chilled longer and makes a handy to-go container. But as we all know, using expanded polystyrene (EPS) is bad—not just for us, but for the environment as well. Here’s why:
• It’s not biodegrade, sustainable or easily recycled.
• The synthetic chemicals it’s made from can contaminate both food and drinks.
• Animals sometimes die when they eat it or take it in from surrounding water.
Even though we are aware of the harmful impact of EPS on the environment, some businesses are reluctant to stop using it—primarily because of the financial impact to their bottom line. Finding an affordable replacement can be challenging, especially when it can be up to five times pricier than polystyrene.
However, some restaurants have discovered that it is actually more expensive not to make the switch. For instance, after considerable pressure from its customers, Jamba Juice ditched polystyrene cups in favor of paper.
Another restaurant chain, McDonald’s, will be replacing plastic foam cups with recycled ones by the end of 2018. They are also planning to eliminate foam packaging from their global business. Hopefully this will help curtail the use of foam packaging in growing markets, where fast-food companies are expanding.
Other restaurants, like Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robins, plan on introducing a foam cup recycling program in their stores.
Thankfully, more and more businesses are following this trend. They are listening to their customers and moving away from foam and other plastics.
How do you reduce your use of foam packaging? What ways have you used to make the switch to eco-friendly alternatives, like reusable cups? Share your success with us in the comments below.
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Never use foam packaging! Take your own reusable/washable containers to restaurants. Sounds weird but soon everyone will be doing it!
This has been a difficult area for me, since most take-out restaurants in our area still use foam packaging. When possible, if we are at a restaurant I ask for a reusable coffee mug rather than a take-out (as long as we are staying there). I’d love to get better about carrying my own travel mug with me!
When I go out to restaurants I take 7 things with me every time – a set of flatware, 2 stainless steel straws, a couple of silicone collapsible food containers, 3 small silicone condiment containers. a stainless steel or glass drink container, and a cloth carry out bag and my enviro cloths. I refuse any single use packaging.
That’s great, Gina! Thanks for sharing and for making such a wonderful difference!
I bring my ‘all day cup’ with me to the gas station. I fill it with pop and the cashier charges me for a refill instead of a fill. This saves me .50 with each fill up. WIN, WIN, WIN.
Not realizing I wasn’t avoiding restaurants for carrying foam cups but now I am!
I take my reusable mugs everywhere from Starbucks. I also have asked our local butcher shop to stop using foam to package his meats and now he has switched to wrapping them with paper.
How I avoid styrofoam. (1) Styrofoam Packaging – I avoid styrofoam packaging by not purchasing from companies that use it. Unfortunately this is learned after my purchase has arrived. To compensate for it, I collect all packaging materials and return them to my local shipping store where they state they will reuse them. That is my hope. (2) Styrofoam To-Go Coffee Cups – As for restaurants, I ALWAYS take a reusable travel mug for hot and cold drinks. I’ve even used mine to take left overs home in. Why not? It’s a container of a different shape and size, that’s all. If I don’t have my mug, I DON’T order a drink. It’s that simple. Punishing myself this way reminds me to carry my mug, saves me $$, saves me guilt and helps me to opt-out of being part of a much bigger problem. I will live without a cup of coffee. (3) Styrofoam To-Go Containers – Regarding take out food, I try to purchase only what I eat. If I know the restaurant offers biodegradable containers, I may opt… Read more »
Yes, I agree! If you know that a restaurant gives you too much, then take your own reusable container. The restaurant will like you because the containers cost them money. In addition, you are being eco-friendly!! For take out restaurants, take your own refillable cup/mug to get a coffee/tea.
It seems nearly impossible to avoid restaurants that use Styrofoam but I accidentally brought a reusable container into a restaurant once and it was really convenient for our leftovers.
I ve been reusing my last Styrofoam container to keep my fruit safe in my bag en route to work. Makes me feel a bit better that I didn’t refuse but instead will reuse and then recycle for some gardening uses after. Great article.