Since adding multistream waste bins at SFU, the un-sustainable volume of polystyrene (styrofoam) food containers, cups, lids and other service ware is clearer than ever.

Implementing a ban is important because polystyrene is:

- a non-renewable product made from fossil fuel
- known to leach toxic substances such as styrene and benzyne which are potential carcinogens and neurotoxins
- at best "sparingly biodegradable." Our best guess is it will take thousands of years to breakdown
- already banned at other institutions like the University of Calgary.

SFU has commited to diverting a minimum of 70% of waste from landfills by the end of 2015. Banning polystyrene food service items would have a significant impact on our landfill stream. If we hope to become a zero waste campus, prohibiting the use of polystyrene in food service is essential.