The Advantages of Using Polystyrene Containers

Polystyrene is one of the best and most effective food service packaging products, as no other materials provides the same unique combination of environmental benefits, performance and is economically viable. Food service containers made from polystyrene are exceptionally lightweight and strong and provides the best insulation. Containers enhance food sanitation service and protect public health.

As opposed to paper board, polystyrene has less environmental impact during the manufacturing process. School administrators and parents are now aware about the food safety services provide to their kids at schools in safe containers. Readymade meals that are delivered to the homebound and elderly are kept warm as polystyrene acts as an insulator. These containers come in a range of attractive colours and various sizes of which most are shatterproof, easy to recycle and provide good insulation.

For over fifty years since 1958, the FDA has regulated safety of food that has direct contact with polystyrene, and most governments worldwide have also given their approval, as the containers offer far better food protection. Polystyrene provides mechanical firmness and is extremely lightweight. Containers hold their shape and provide quality retention over extended time periods. Cardboard cannot withstand moist and humidity, glass usually cracks or breaks when heated, whereas polystyrene packaging does not soil or break during in-store handling or when in transit.

Studies have shown that polystyrene containers are far more hygienic as opposed to reusable food service ware that requires washing and drying. ESP helps to prevent the spread of disease, as the containers protect food from moisture that causes bacteria to grow and also guarantees a longer shelf life. As opposed to reusable food service items and paper board, polystyrene food service containers are three times more economical. For example a hot beverage cup made from ESP uses around 50 percent less energy to manufacture as opposed to paper cups that have cup sleeves.

An effective way in which to slow global warming down is by decreasing energy usage. The wonderful thing about expanded polystyrene is that only 5 percent is polystyrene and the remainder is pure air. Regardless of materials used for manufacturing packaging, they all leave some or other environmental footprint. Manufacturing takes raw materials and energy to produce as well as dispose and recover and transportation of all materials. It is of the utmost importance to measure the impacts the products have throughout their entire lifecycle.

Due to polystyrene being lightweight, the material has a slow carbon footprint. Less energy and resources are used per unit during the manufacturing process, takes less petrol to transport and fewer materials are required to recycle. During the manufacturing process, no chlorofluorocarbons are used which helps to reduce further damage to the ozone layer. As opposed to glass and paper, polystyrene uses far less energy to recycle or manufacture. No oil is drilled specifically to produce ESP as it is only a by-product of oil conversion.

There are less than 76 percent greenhouse gas emissions in polystyrene, as opposed to alternative materials. Using polystyrene containers means using less important resources such as energy and water that are required for reusable sources. Materials such as polystyrene that has a high energy content provides light and heat, as it contains twice the energy of coal and also burns clean.

Polystyrene packaging reduces waste and does not fill up landfills as the packaging only accounts for less than a percent of volume and weight in landfills. However, cardboard and paper account for around 31% disposed in South African landfills. Polystyrene packages meets the demands of modern living, as such packaging offers a high quality economical food service product. Such packaging provides insulation, which reduces food waste due to leakage, damaged packaging or spoilage. Cold food remains cold and hot food stays hot when packaged in polystyrene.