#styrofoam

Static cling

I am so sick of picking up Styrofoam off the beaches and having it crumble in my hands. It breaks apart into smaller and smaller pieces until it’s impossible to collect, and then it becomes part of the sand. Microplastics have been found in the human brain. They’ve also been found in breast milk and in meconium (a newborn’s first stool). I am so over it.

Styrofoam is toxic. Its main ingredient, styrene, is a potential human carcinogen linked to a range of health issues, especially when exposed to heat. I can’t believe it’s still allowed when there are so many alternatives. Haiti banned it back in 2012. Australia claims to be “phasing it out,” but according to a Guardian article titled “Australia’s plan to phase out expanded polystyrene packaging is failing and was never possible, industry says” from just a year ago, that phase-out is falling apart.

Industry argues that alternatives aren’t viable. I disagree. There are limitations, yes, but there’s also innovation: biodegradable, compostable, and reusable options that could replace Styrofoam in most contexts.

Maybe it’s up to me to start speaking louder about it. Someone has to.