Polystyrene Food Packaging And General Purpose Polystyrene Benefits To The Consumer

Polystyrene food packaging holds several benefits for the consumer:

High level of sanitation. Studies have indicated that polystyrene used in food packaging is safer than cardboard packaging. In addition, it is also more hygienic than when plates are washed and dried and then used again when supplying food to a large group of people.
It is cost effective. With low production cost, the price of food produce can be kept low and as such the consumer pays less.
It is lightweight and can be transported with ease. With lower transport costs, the consumer pays less for the food produce at the end of the day.
High level of humidity resistance, ensuring safer food.
Retains shape even when holding warm beverages. As such it is more convenient to use than paper based cups and evidently also safer.
Doesn’t crack or shatter and will not break when it falls. It is therefore a safer product to use in hospitals, old age homes, schools and at camps than glass.
It can be recycled and consequently ensures a cleaner environment for the consumer.

Polystyrene is used in food packaging applications for egg trays, fast foods, meats at butcheries, for cookies at home industries and bakeries, for fish, poultry, vegetables, and also cold drinks and even warm beverages.

Because of the sanitation qualities of polystyrene, food packaged will not spoil easily as can be the case with cardboard packaging. The food can be stored in the refrigerator and transported. Only around 2% spoilage takes place. It is exceptionally versatile and perfect for disposable usage.

General Purpose Polystyrene

General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) is not directly used in food packaging, but is the raw product that is colourless. It is mixed with rubbers and other substances to create HIPS and other related end-products. GPPS is generally used in injection moulding processes where the end product is then usable. Such includes food cutlery that can be used and disposed, CD cases, and foam insulation as it has excellent electricity insulation properties. Thermally, the product shows superb stability, making it perfect for the holding of warm foods and beverages.

Polystyrene for food packaging can be used with safety in the microwave to heat food in the case of Styrofoam. No toxins are released with the process. The same rules for heating food in other containers apply and as with any other packaging, one should not use excessive heat. Moderate heating is allowable.

Other Applications

The product is also widely used in other industries. It is used to create medical trays often used in hospitals. The material has superb post sterilization characteristics and because of the cost effectiveness in production, transport and storage, the product is cheap enough to be used in a disposable manner, making it perfect for medical applications. It is furthermore used in the electronics industry for CD cases, TV housing, jewellery boxes, and media enclosures.

Polystyrene in food packaging is thus not the only reason for the popularity of the material in packaging. It can be recycled and is versatile.