Styrofoam is an incredibly destructive material which has no place in our university's Student Center.

While we only use it once, Styrofoam harms our environment indefinitely. It persists for over a million years after we throw it out; leaching toxins into our water, choking marine life, and adding to litter everywhere. It hurts us even before we use it , as its production creates many ozone-destroying gases, including HFC's.

There are countless other options for food storage, made clear by all the major restaurants swearing off the substance and switching to alternatives. SIU Student Center storefronts only need to look a few blocks away to Morris Library to see compostable, temperature-controlling cups in use.

Around the world, people are making the change. Many cities in the US and whole countries elsewhere have stepped up and banned Styrofoam, and we are beyond the point where continuing to use it is excusable. This is not a new or unknown problem, and ignoring it will not make it go away.

Sign this petition to ask the Steak and Shake and Chick Fil A restaurants within Southern Illinois University Student Center to stop using Styrofoam. SIU cannot be a sustainable school while endorsing the use of this indisputably damaging product.