POLYSTYRENE

VRT3013
E-BOOK CONTENT

(GROUP C)

POLYMER:
POLYSTYRENE

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TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO DECOMPOSED
• 3 TYPES OF POLYSTYRENE POLYSTYRENE

HISTORY OF POLYSTYRENE CONCLUSION

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF QUIZ PRACTICE
POLYSTYRENE
REFERENCES
COUNTRIES THAT BANNED POLYSTYRENE

STATE THAT BANNED POLYSTYRENE IN
MALAYSIA

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INTRODUCTION ● Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon

SLIDESMANIA.COM polymer made from the monomer known as
styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamed.
Polystyrene is a versatile plastic used to make a
wide variety of consumer products. As a hard,
solid plastic, it is often used in products that
require clarity such as food packaging and
laboratory ware. General-purpose polystyrene is
clear, hard and brittle. It is poor barrier to
oxygen, water vapor and has a relatively low
melting point.

3 TYPES OF POLYSTYRENE

SLIDESMANIA.COM FILM FOAM PLASTIC

Film is used in a variety of Two primary types of PS foam, which Fairly brittle when it is developed, but it
packaging purposes. include expanded polystyrene(EPS) and is highly impact resistant, especially
Polystyrene film can often be extruded polystyrene(XPS). when combined with other materials. As
vacuum formed, stretched EPS is more commonly used in everyday a result, this plastic is often used in
out over a specific product applications, such as in Styrofoam cups protective applications, typically as
and sealed in order to and in packing peanuts used in shipping. windows and screens for electronic
prevent air from leaking out XPS is much more dense and durable, devices.
or entering. and it is used in larger applications such
as in architectural models.

HISTORY OF POLYSTYRENE Edward Simon

● Polystyrene was discovered by German pharmacist Edward Simon in 1839.
● Polystyrene was first foamed in the 1940s and first sold as coffee cups in the

1960s.

● The foam version of polystyrene that many of us associate with the name was

developed by the Dow Chemical Company, which introduced polystyrene products to
the US.

● The product takes around 500 years to biodegrade and recycling is limited. Many

companies that once relied on it now look alternatives such as moulded pulp for
packaging.

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Difference Between Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)

EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE (EPS) DEFINITION EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE (XPS)

Thermoplastic foam materials that Foam material that we produce
we produce from solid bead of from solid polystyrene crystals.
polystyrene.

We produce expanded polystyrene RAW MATERIAL We produce extruded polystyrene
from solid beads of polystyrene. using solid polystyrene crystals.

SLIDESMANIA.COM Produce via the expansion of gas PRODUCTION Produce via extruding a hot, thick
that is trapped inside the PROCESS fluid of polystyrene crystals.

polystyrene bead by heating. EFFECT ON The production of extruded
ENVIRONMENT polystyrene has considerable harm
The production of expanded
polystyrene has a minimum harmful to the environment.

effect on the environment.

ADVANTAGES

● Excellent impact resistance AND

● Light weight

DISADVANTAGES● Protection of food from damage

and contamination ● Susceptible to UV degradation
● Non-recyclable
● Low cost ● Flammable
● Widely used as a protective ● A hazard to marine wildlife
● Brittle, poor chemical resistance
packaging for goods in transit
especially to organics
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COUNTRIES
THAT HAVE

BANNED
POLYSTYRENE

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SCOTLAND

The new regulations from the
Scottish Government published
on 11 November 2021 mean that

some problematic single-use
plastic items (polystyrene) are

banned from June 2022

This follows the publication of
draft regulations in March 2021

and a twelve-week public
consultation on the issue, which

ended in January 2021..

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ENGLAND

The single use plastic plates,
cutlery and polystyrene cups
are among a raft of items that
could be banned by the UK
Government in England as part
of a new public consultation
being launched in the autumn.

SLIDESMANIA.COM The department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says

that the proposals will lead to
businesses using more sustainable

alternatives and that they will
prevent plastic litter from polluting

the landscapes.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The law presented by Czech
Environment Minister Richard
Brabec and discussed by MPs from
the lower house of Parliament,
should come into force in July 2021
and put Czech Republic in line with
the 2019 single use plastic
Directive.

SLIDESMANIA.COM The new measure approved by the
Czech government would mainly ban
single use plastic items such as
straws, plates, cutlery and
polystyrene cups and impose new
duties on plastic manufactures.

GREECE The Environment and Energy
Ministry, the public
Natural Environment and administration ban is the first
Waters Secretary General significant step toward ending
Constantine Aravossis sent a the use of disposable plastics in
memo to all state agencies for Greece, expected to be fully
the abolition of single use implemented as of July 3, 2021.
plastics as of February 1, 2021.
The 1 February regulation puts
SLIDESMANIA.COM an end to purchase orders by
state agencies for plastic
cutlery, plastic straws, plastic
drinks stirrers, styrofoam food
and drink containers and their
lids and all single use materials
made of non-biodegradable
plastic.

BULGARIA The ban will apply to products
made wholly or partly of plastic
In January 2021, the Bulgarian and generally intended for
Ministry of Environment and single use or used for a short
Water commented that starting period of time before being
from summer the use of 8 discarded.
types of single use plastic
products is to be prohibited in These are tableware – forks,
Bulgaria. knives, spoons, plates, straws,
as well as earbuds, beverage
SLIDESMANIA.COM stirrers, plastic sticks to which
balloons are attached, food
storage vessels made of
polystyrene and cups and
products made of oxo-
degradable plastic.

ZIMBABWE

Introduced a ban on
polystyrene food containers in

2017 with fines of between
$30 to $5,000 for anyone for

breaking the rules.

The ban is part of measures by
the Environmental Management

Agency (EMA) to help curb
health hazards and linked to

expanded polystyrene.

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COSTA RICA

The use of expanded
polystyrene will be restricted
across Costa Rica beginning 7

August. The new policy
enforces Law No. 9703, which

was passed in July 2019.

Fines for violations range from
$763 to $7,629.

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SAMOA

Introduced a ban on polystyrene
effectively on 30 January 2020

SLIDESMANIA.COM Business who continued to use or
sell Styrofoam plates, containers
and cup will be fined $US3700 or

six month prison terms.
Individuals could also be fines up

to $US1850 or face jail time

STATE THAT
BANNED

POLYSTYRENE
IN MALAYSIA

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Negeri Sembilan Perak Penang

May be charged a Running a non- • In 2009, the state
compound of wearable Government launched a “No
RM250 if use Plastic Bag” campaign.
polystyrene polystyrene Enacted in 2010.
plastic campaign
SLIDESMANIA.COM • The state government held a
on Saturday Green School and Green
Citizens Program to create
awareness and understanding
about the use of polystyrene
affecting the environment.

SLIDESMANIA.COM Selangor Perlis

Polystyrene was totally banned in • Run a campaign banning the use
Selangor from January 2017. Anyone of polystyrene every Saturday.
in Selangor will face a RM1,000 fine
• Polystyrene is replaced with
if they use polystyrene packages. biologically degradable plastics
The fine comes following the new including paper packaging that
policy set by the state Government is easily removed.
that bans the use of polystyrene and
promotes reduced plastic bag usage. • Bring own container to buy
food.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO DECOMPOSE
POLYSTYRENE?

One common estimate is that Styrofoam can
take up 30 percent of the space in some
landfills. Once in the landfill, it does not
decompose quickly. Some experts estimate
the decomposition of Styrofoam to 500
years with limited recycling options.

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SLIDESMANIA.COM CAN POLYSTYRENE BE DECOMPOSED?

It does not degrade or break down over time. It can be destroyed if it is incinerated at
extremely high temperatures, creating only a small amount of water and carbon as by
products.

Due to the fact there are either no facilities or it is not accepted recyclable, most
polystyrene ends up in landfills. These landfills prolong the decomposition period due to the
lack of oxygen, light and water flow.

WHY IS POLYSTYRENE NOT BIODEGRADABLE?

Polystyrene breaks down so slowly that it is not viable as a biodegradable product.
Most of the polystyrene that ends up in landfills still be there 500 years from mow,
according to the Environmental Action Association.

WAYS TO REUSE
POLYSTYRENE

● Create your own ● Used as raised beds
presentation mounts for a patio

● Make your own ● Use as drainage in the
superglue base of plants pots

● Use as insulation ● Make knitting
markers

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EXPERIMENT MEALWORMS EATING
STYROFOAM

● Mealworms are the larval form of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, a species of darkling beetle.
● The mealworms had a shape similar to super worm. The mealworms can grow to 50 mm or more.
● According to scientists, mealworms are able to reduce Styrofoam waste by eating it and then turning

it into contaminants and carbon dioxide.

Scan This QR To Watch the
Video

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CONCLUSION

• A component of polystyrene is a known hazardous substance that medical evidence and the
Food and Drug Administration suggests leaches from polystyrene containers into food and
drink. Styrene is a suspected carcinogen and neurotoxin which potentially threatens human
health. Due to the physical properties of polystyrene, the EPA states that such materials
can also have serious impacts on human health, wildlife, the aquatic environment and the
economy.

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SLIDESMANIA.COM QUIZ PRACTICE

https://quizizz.com/join/quiz/619dcd387df
453001de420cf/start?studentShare=true

SLIDESMANIA.COM REFERENCES

• AfricaNews. (2017, August 4). Zimbabwe bans polystyrene food packs citing health risks. Africanews. Retrieved
November 21, 2021, from https://www.africanews.com/2017/08/04/zimbabwe-bans-polystyrene-food-packs-citing-
health-risks//

• Costa Rica has banned styrofoam — A major win for the environment. (2019, July 9). IMFA. Retrieved November
21, 2021, from https://www.imfa.org/costa-rica-has-banned-styrofoam-a-major-win-for-the-environment/

• Samoa delays styrofoam ban. (2020, July 1). RNZ. Retrieved November 21, 2021, from
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/420264/samoa-delays-styrofoam-ban

• A. (2015, April 2). What Are the Various Forms of Polystyrene? STYRO. https://www.styrouae.com/faq-items/what-
are-the-various-forms-of-polystyrene/

• Scotland has banned Styrofoam - Single-use plastics: new laws come into force June 2022. From
https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/single-use-plastics/regulations

• England to consider banning single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. Retrieved August 31, 2021,
from https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/england-to-consider-banning-single-use-plastic-plates-cutlery-and-
polystyrene-cups/

• https://www.bfgpackaging.com/news-on-the-sup-directive-law-enforcement-in-eu-countries-germany-czech-republic-
bulgaria-greece-croatia-malta/