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Styrofoam is generally considered worse for the environment than plastic because it is not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down, leading to long-lasting pollution. Plastic, while also harmful, can sometimes be recycled or biodegrade more quickly.

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Which is worse for the environment - styrofoam cups or plastic cups?

Styrofoam cups are generally worse for the environment than plastic cups because Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and takes hundreds of years to break down. Plastic cups, while also harmful, can be recycled or reused to a certain extent, making them slightly more environmentally friendly than Styrofoam.


How does Styrofoam affect the environment?

Styrofoam can do many things to the enviroment. For one thing, it doesn't decompose until over 100 years! Also, it has many harmful chemicals that could seep into the ground.Actually, styrofoam contains one chemical: polystyrene, which is long chains of the styrene monomer. It doesn't 'seep into the ground' at all. However that is not to say it doesn't damage the environment. Obviously it is not good to leave polystyrene lying around but it does no more harm than a plastic bottle or coke can - an eyesore maybe, but it won't leak chemicals or poison anything.


What is the hardest thing to recycle?

Plastic is the hardest material to recycle on earth because: 1: Plastic has to be separated into many different kinds by hand 2: If a mixture of plastic is not recycled together they either contaminate the melt or you get a lower grade of plastic than the originals. This is called "downcucling". 3: Plastics need more energy to recycle than any other materials


Does plastic sink or float in oil?

A plastic always sink in oil like a plastic bottle will always float in oil.


Why does paper decompose faster than plastic in soil?

Paper is biodegradable and is made from natural materials like wood pulp, which soil organisms can break down easily. Plastic, on the other hand, is not readily biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing it to decompose much slower than paper in soil.

Related Questions

Which is worse for the environment - styrofoam cups or plastic cups?

Styrofoam cups are generally worse for the environment than plastic cups because Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and takes hundreds of years to break down. Plastic cups, while also harmful, can be recycled or reused to a certain extent, making them slightly more environmentally friendly than Styrofoam.


What keeps water hotter paper or styrofoam?

styrofoam, but warning fammable and unsafe for the environment!


Is styrofoam a better insulator of heat than plastic?

Styrofoam is a better insulator of heat than plastic. The plastic allows the heat in and out and the cold in and out. The Styrofoam helps keep the heat in.


What type of cup will keep water the coldest a styrofoam cup or plastic cup?

Styrofoam insulates better than a single layer of plastic. If, however, you have one of those plastic cups that have an outer and an inner "wall" with a sealed air space in between, that should work better than the Styrofoam.


Will ice melt faster in plastic or styrifoam?

it is a greater conducter of heat than styrofoam


Does glass keep a hot drink warm longer than plastic?

No. Use Styrofoam.


How does Styrofoam affect the environment?

Styrofoam can do many things to the enviroment. For one thing, it doesn't decompose until over 100 years! Also, it has many harmful chemicals that could seep into the ground.Actually, styrofoam contains one chemical: polystyrene, which is long chains of the styrene monomer. It doesn't 'seep into the ground' at all. However that is not to say it doesn't damage the environment. Obviously it is not good to leave polystyrene lying around but it does no more harm than a plastic bottle or coke can - an eyesore maybe, but it won't leak chemicals or poison anything.


In which cup does ice melt faster a plactic stirophone or paper and why?

Ice will typically melt faster in a plastic or styrofoam cup compared to a paper cup. This is because plastic and styrofoam are better insulators, meaning they transfer heat more efficiently than paper. Therefore, the heat from the surroundings will more readily reach the ice in a plastic or styrofoam cup, causing it to melt faster.


Is melted styrofoam bad for the environment?

Styrofoam cant be recycled. Styrofoam can also cause diseases, one example is cancer. It also never degrades it will actually last longer than Lady Liberty! :(Styrofoam cant be recycled. Styrofoam can also cause diseases, one example is cancer. It also never degrades it will actually last longer than Lady Liberty! :(


Is density the reason that styrofoam floats?

Yes, styrofoam floats because its density is lower than that of water. Styrofoam is made up of tiny pockets of gas trapped within a plastic foam structure, making it less dense than water and causing it to float on the surface.


Is styrofoam polar or nonpolar?

Thermoplastic is a term that refers to a substance turning into plastic when exposed to extreme temperatures. This would make Styrofoam thermoplastic.


How well does styrofoam conduct heat?

Yes, styrofoam is full of air cells and air is a good thermal insulator. Styrofoam has poor solvent resistance, and poor hot performance.