To Foam, or Not to Foam

I know there are various ways of making foam to-go containers and that they are not called Styrofoam now, but by any name they aren't recyclable. And the new materials used to make them theoretically aren't "as bad" for the environment as the materials that make Styrofoam. Technically foam containers are recyclable, but effectively they aren't. And petrochemicals are petrochemicals, depleting the world's supply and polluting the environment. Since they are rarely recycled and being thrown away, they are consuming vast amounts of space in landfills.

Recently, while staying at the Hilton Pittsburgh for a conference, I asked catering to bring us more water glasses. They asked if it was okay to bring us foam cups instead. I was dumbfounded that a green hotel, with Green Seal certification, would even ask that question, much less use foam anywhere on the property! When I said no it was not okay, they were able to find glasses to bring to us.

I do my best to avoid using foam, but sadly I'm not 100 percent successful. It generally doesn't surprise me when restaurants only offer foam as a to-go option; I still try to get my left overs wrapped in foil rather than use the foam boxes. (My favorite Mexican restaurant in Boulder, Efrain's, offers both foam and aluminum to-go boxes. Turley's, also in Boulder, Colorado, and one of my favorite restaurants, only offers cardboard to-go boxes.) When I know a coffee shop uses foam cups I take my own coffee cup, to avoid drinking out of their foam cups. When I am surprised by the offer of foam is when either the restaurant indicates it cares about the environment or is in a community that is intensely into recycling and the environment. But when the property is certified green and uses foam containers, I'm thoroughly disgusted. Properties like that give "green" a bad reputation.

Hot cups, made of paper, are much easier on the environment and landfills, and they only cost a little more to buy than foam cups do. Aluminum boxes are reusable and recyclable, and are more spill-proof than foam boxes. This is the beginning of my public campaign to get rid of foam containers.

If you are a consumer, request non-foam containers when you buy coffee or take your left overs home. Make it known that you won't use foam boxes or cups and will be a more loyal customer when the establishment takes that environmental step. If you are an owner or manager of a food establishment, quit using foam and adopt aluminum boxes and paper hot cups. Let your customers know that you are taking that environmental step; start building customer loyalty which will improve your bottom line.

Styrofoam is bad for the environment in many ways. Take an ECOnomically Sound step and quit using foam containers, both as a consumer and a provider.

Have a comment about this product or article? Register at ECOTalk and post your thoughts. There are already posts about foam products and biodegradable to-go containers there.

And there's an article on ECOnomically Sound about recyclable, compostable, disposable products.