What is worse for the environment... styrofoam or plastic water bottles? If not recycled.?

Question

I banned bottled water and am trying to figure out what to do at work and school to carry water besides for the nagalyne bottles.

Answer 1

You are definitely heading in the right direction and we applaud your effort. Plastic bottles have multiple problems as you may know. First and foremost is they are filling up our landfill areas at an alarming rate due to a lack of waste management for recycling. The most alarming concern though is the impact on the sun's rays on the water/juice inside the bottles that are in the sun rays access. Scientist now are showing results of the plastic emersing itself in the forumlation inside a plastic container when exposed to sun light. As far as what to use for your carrying on the body needs its very limited sadly. The best answer is non plastic but the reality is that there are few if any good substitutes unless you went to the tried and true boy scouts thermose container (stainless steel) also used by the military. Holds plenty of water and is the best container material for resolving all the other issues.

Answer 2

Not sure which is worse for the environment. Both as bad as each other, probably. Styrofoam (known as EPS in the industry) can be recycled, and is in certain parts of the world (Japan and Korea especially). See this for info: http://www.epsrecycling.org/pages/recycle1.html Plastic bottles (PET) are recycled widely and many products can be produced through this.

However, reducing the initial production of these materials, and if they 'have to' be produced, re-using them before re-cycling, is in my opinion a better option.

I usually take a proper water holder (like a flask, but for cold water/drinks), which has a very long life, keeps the water cool, and then no need to buy these drinks in PET bottles. It's made out of durable plastic and other materials, but at least it's re-used many, many times. Another option would be to use a metal flask - the kind you can take hiking/camping. (If you don't want to use any plastic at all).

Answer 3

I wouldn't ban bottled water, but would rather encourage others to recycle their empty bottles. Have recycle only bins in the classroom or work areas and work to make sure that they are indeed recycled and not just thrown in with the rest of the garbage. (I have a recycle only box in my classroom, and the students do use it.) Styrofoam has got to be the worst though.

Answer 4

I clean litter from a stretch of Missouri highway as part of the"No More Trash" team of volunteers. The Styrofoam sets by the roadside and doesn't breakdown. Plastic bottles, do start to disintegrate after a year or so. They become brittle and crumbly.

Answer 5

I reuse the plastic bottles. I refill it and freeze it to drink at another time. I believe styrofoam is more harmful because it cannot be recycled.

Answer 6

Styrofoam doesn't decompose and can't be recycled. Plastic can be recycled if you take it to a recycling plant.