Green Thinking Blog

While I often make zero sense, EPF isn’t just random letters in the alphabet.  It stands for Expanded Polystyrene Foam.  The common Joe would refer to it as styrofoam.  This material is actually derived from a petroleum base; it is harmful to produce  and it is difficult to recycle.

In this day and age it is very difficult to avoid items that don’t harm the environment in some way.  It is our responsibility to make the choice of what we consume and how we dispose of it.  While many times we cannot get around the use of an item, the conscious decision to reduce what we do use can make a significant contribution.  Recycling is fantastic, when it is available…with that said, GTB has a little story to share:

I went to a “member’s only” wholesale club last weekend.  I thought I would enjoy a beverage as I pushed my cart around to shop for bulk items and reduce my impact of packaging waste.  What I discovered was that my very large, very economical soda came in a jug of EPF!    With my cup came a message from the store: …we have chosen a foam cup over paper or plastic after considering the environmental impact of raw materials, production, etc….and that they have made the most responsible decision.  uh huh…

I then went to my favorite fast food chain (name not to be revealed,but a clue: it is regional) and ordered a drink - also coming in a jug of EPF!!!

So, I wrote them.  I asked them about their choice & again I was told (in a pre-generated response) that it was the most responsible option and that foam was actually more recyclable than paper.

I have done a little research, and if you know more or something different, please post it here.

Paper cups from many places are, in fact, not recyclable due to the wax substance that is put there to avoid moisture from seeping through.  Further, expanded polystyrene foam is a #6 recyclable product.  If you visit the Alliance of Foam Packaging, you can find out about the nearest facility to your area.  Most likely, it isn’t anywhere near you and your cup will never make it there because there are only 200 locations in the nation! 

Don’t you think it would be great if all companies would allow you to bring in your own personal cup for use with their combo meal or shopping trip?

I have written my friend back in the fast food industry to see if that is a possibility.  If I get a response, GTB will be sure to forward.

Please remember, while we can’t avoid all waste, we can do our part to reduce the waste we make.  If everyone did that it would be a much cleaner, healthier earth to live on.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 at 8:03 pm and is filed under Climate Change, Lifestyle, Pollution, Recycling, Renewable, Sustainable, Waste. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.