Recycling Polystyrene Acetone
Question:
Can we recycle polystyrene in a cost efficient way? If so, what impact does this have on the environment?
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to see if we can recycle polystyrene using acetone. If this is possible, this can be used to help improve our environment since polystyrene itself is not biodegradable.
Hypothesis:
I hypothesis that polystyrene, mainly known as styrofoam, can be recycled using acetone. This cost efficient and easy method will not only motivate both individuals and industries to recycle but also improve the state of our environment.
Materials:
100% acetone nail polish remover
3 small containers
4 Styrofoam cups
Large piece of plastic
Packing foam board
A teaspoon
A Permanent marker
Procedure: …show more content…
If more people, mainly business and industries, begin adapting to this method, it would reduce many harms which come with not recycling styrofoam. One of the main harms includes the land the piled up styrofoam occupies. It is estimated that 25-30% of landfills are solely dedicated to plastics, including styrofoam. This Means that almost 1/4th of all our landfills are being filled with styrofoam or other plastics. This number can be reduced greatly if the findings of this experiment were to be taken up by others. Another harm that is presented by the lack of recycling of styrofoam is polystyrene takes at least five hundred years to decompose. This means that all that 25-30% of styrofoam which occupies the landfills will remain their for at least 5 centuries. This is not only a waste of space for a very long time but also a burden for the future generations. Aside from the impacts on humans styrofoam is also known for causing choking and starvation of wildlife. Due to our lack of attention and care, innocent animals have to suffer, once again. We not only chock them to death but also pollute their water sources. Since styrofoam floats in water, due to being lightweight, it contaminates many water source (mainly in United States), affect the lives of not only humans but animals as well. Seeing as their are so many problems which arise from the neglect to recycle or dispose of …show more content…
The first of which is that many communities do not accept recycling of styrofoam. Due to this, people actually do not have the ability to recycle it, even if they themselves wish to. As for why the communities do not allow this recycling is due to the exact reasons why it’s used so often; it is light weight, low cost, and durable – making it hard to recycle. Another important factor is the cost required to actually recycle styrofoam. It costs a lot to transport styrofoam to the factor and then again to melt it and transform into other products. This part of the problem mainly comes from the companies and industries rather than the individual citizens. Since their goal is to make as much profit as possible, they are not willing to put in extra money to recycle styrofoam. Simple put, it goes more to recycle styrofoam then to create
Can we recycle polystyrene in a cost efficient way? If so, what impact does this have on the environment?
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to see if we can recycle polystyrene using acetone. If this is possible, this can be used to help improve our environment since polystyrene itself is not biodegradable.
Hypothesis:
I hypothesis that polystyrene, mainly known as styrofoam, can be recycled using acetone. This cost efficient and easy method will not only motivate both individuals and industries to recycle but also improve the state of our environment.
Materials:
100% acetone nail polish remover
3 small containers
4 Styrofoam cups
Large piece of plastic
Packing foam board
A teaspoon
A Permanent marker
Procedure: …show more content…
If more people, mainly business and industries, begin adapting to this method, it would reduce many harms which come with not recycling styrofoam. One of the main harms includes the land the piled up styrofoam occupies. It is estimated that 25-30% of landfills are solely dedicated to plastics, including styrofoam. This Means that almost 1/4th of all our landfills are being filled with styrofoam or other plastics. This number can be reduced greatly if the findings of this experiment were to be taken up by others. Another harm that is presented by the lack of recycling of styrofoam is polystyrene takes at least five hundred years to decompose. This means that all that 25-30% of styrofoam which occupies the landfills will remain their for at least 5 centuries. This is not only a waste of space for a very long time but also a burden for the future generations. Aside from the impacts on humans styrofoam is also known for causing choking and starvation of wildlife. Due to our lack of attention and care, innocent animals have to suffer, once again. We not only chock them to death but also pollute their water sources. Since styrofoam floats in water, due to being lightweight, it contaminates many water source (mainly in United States), affect the lives of not only humans but animals as well. Seeing as their are so many problems which arise from the neglect to recycle or dispose of …show more content…
The first of which is that many communities do not accept recycling of styrofoam. Due to this, people actually do not have the ability to recycle it, even if they themselves wish to. As for why the communities do not allow this recycling is due to the exact reasons why it’s used so often; it is light weight, low cost, and durable – making it hard to recycle. Another important factor is the cost required to actually recycle styrofoam. It costs a lot to transport styrofoam to the factor and then again to melt it and transform into other products. This part of the problem mainly comes from the companies and industries rather than the individual citizens. Since their goal is to make as much profit as possible, they are not willing to put in extra money to recycle styrofoam. Simple put, it goes more to recycle styrofoam then to create