How much water is used to make a styrofoam plate?

Question

My son and I have this environmental battle going on. I'm telling him to use a regular plate to eat his meals and then wash it.
He says he rather use a styrofoam plate since less water is needed to produce a styrofoam plate than to wash a regular one.
Is he right or just lazy??

Answer 1

I have done some research on the environmental impact of different types of dinnerware. Polystyrene products (Styrofoam is a brand name, sort of like how Kleenex has become a universal word for tissue), use little water, but do require petroleum, as others have already said. Hundreds of years from now, the polystyrene will still be sitting in a landfill, because it does not break down. Water is a renewable resource. It is, of course, still a finite resource, but my conscience would bug me more for wasting space in a landfill and oil for the sake of some water. In addition, if you search for "polystyrene health hazard" or a similar query, you can discover the multitude of websites with literature regarding the hazards of polystyrene. It accumulates in the body, and can cause neurological problems.

I do not think your son is necessarily lazy, but probably either A) misinformed, or B) just learned something and was so eager to show off his knowledge that he tried to apply it when it was not applicable. You are definitely winning the battle. Just tell your son that using fewer petroleum products will save lives. If we could move away from it, GW Bush would not need to invade poor countries and steal their oil. Consequently, American, Iraqi, and African (since there are numerous countries on the African continent with newly discovered untapped oil reserves) lives. Conserve petroleum, and make it harder for the government to lie and start wars for oil!!!!

Answer 2

He's definately correct about the amount of water that is being used, (styrofoam production doesn't use much water at all)but that should certainly not be your largest environmental concern when it comes to styrofoam. Styrofoam is made from petroleum. If you are throwing away a styrofoam plate after every meal you are contributing non-biodegradeable petroleum products to the landfills in your area which is never a good thing. When styrofoam starts to break down it relases toxic gases and liquids which can find their way into water sources if not properly contained.

I think that should be the front you push in that battle.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Retardis provided a comprehensive, accurate answer to your question. Styrofoam is petroleum-based, and using up more oil to produce more plastic plates is far more wasteful. If your son insists on using Styrofoam plates and cups, do what I do: REduce the waste by washing them and REusing them ten or twelve times before finally REcycling them. -RKO- 06/25/07

Answer 4

it is not a matter of how much water is used to make it, it is the fact that styrofoam is not degradeable, and will take a very very long time to go away.
If you visit a cafeteria on a daily basis, they probably use so much styrofoam plates, and cups for each person.
Talk to the owner, and persuade them to change to paper plates and cups. That is what I did with my school, we're switching this year!!!

Answer 5

From an environmental standpoint - kick his butt and make him do the dishes.

As the others point out, styrofoam is petroleum based and does not degrade well. Water is easily recycled (heck, nature does that every time it rains).

Answer 6

Make him use paper plates instead.

Paper sequesters carbon.

Answer 7

The kid is just lazy kick him in the butt and get him started