Be Mindful. Ban Styrofoam in Cleveland. Hopefully the city can act as a leader, and the catalyst for other nearby cities, towns and municipalities to follow suit!

Stop the Styrofoam madness.

Cities that have banned Styrofoam:

• San Francisco, California 2007
• Several cities in California followed
• Portland, Oregon
• Seattle, Washington
• Amherst, Massachusetts
• Washington, DC
• NYC 2013 –ban of polystyrene foam containers as well as the sale of packaging ‘peanuts’ in effect July 1, 2015
• Albany, NY – November 2014
• El Cerrito, CA - January 1st, 2015
• http://storyofstuff.org/blog/styrofoam-bans-are-sweeping-across-the-nation/

Styrofoam = polystyrene foam. It’s cheap, strong, light and used in everything from packaging to take out containers.

Polystyrene is petroleum based

Established as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA and Internat’l Agency for Research on Cancer

Trademarked by Dow Chemical for such applications as building insulation / craft products, not food containers

McDonald’s stopped using poly styrofoam clamshell in 1990, phased out foam cups 9/2014 (14,000 US locations)

Harmful effects

Light and easily carried by the wind – litter in streets and waterways

Doesn’t break down easily, non-renewable, non-biodegradable, non-recyclable according to SF Environment online  - appears to last forever, resistant to photolysis

Due to environmental exposure and harsh environments, can break into pieces then mistaken for food and ingested by marine animals, birds, fishes

Health risks – leaks chemicals into foods, worsen with reheating or hot liquids (coffee cups)

Proven to cause cancer – according to SF Environment

Brominated flame retardants used on Styrofoam also chemicals might have negative environmental and health effects

Air pollution; 57 chemical by-products released during the creation, not only pollutes air also produces loads of liquid and solid waste that need disposal

Styrofoam manufactured by using HFCs, or hydro fluorocarbons which have negative impacts on the ozone layer and global warming

Repeat exposure can lead to; irritation of the skin/eyes/upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal effects - Very Harmful to those who manufacture it!

Chronic exposure leads to further complications, including effects on the nervous system  - symptoms of chronic exposure; depression, headache, fatigue, weakness, minor effects on kidney function

The problem is price ultimately, how to change the conversation to see the overall benefit and value in being more mindful? Being a better consumer and leaving less of a trace, smaller carbon footprint – plant based alternatives? carry bento boxes? reduce take out service? how to educate?

Food service waste reduction ordinance – SF did this – also a way to educate

 

Resources

Various articles etc;

http://usat.ly/1bXXo7W

SF Environment

Treehugger.com

Save the Bay www.savesfbay.org/pollution-facts

Love to know green living, “How Styrofoam is Bad for the Environment”

Read more :: http://www.ehow.com/list_6190126_harmful-styrofoam-effects.html