We are taught to cringe when we see polystyrene (often referred to as Styrofoam), and for good reason. Polystyrene products used to be made with a blowing agent of CFCs, which was toxic, but the government stopped that, decades ago. The stigma still remains.
The biggest argument, however is that polystyrene doesn't biodegrade, or takes years to degrade in a landfill. FUN FACT: bio-degradation takes a number of elements to take place, one of them being plenty of oxygen. Because of the way modern landfills are managed, it wouldn't be too far off to say that NOTHING biodegrades in a landfill. Some minor breakdown may occur, but even products that claim to be biodegradable will not have the opportunity to in a landfill.
Polystyrene - AGAINST: made using petroleum; contains styrene (a chemical found naturally in some foods, but found to be hazardous when inhaled of ingested in large amounts); melts in contact with very hot foods, fear that chemicals can leach into foods; not bio-degradable or compostable.
Polystyrene - FOR: cheapest option; more than 75% air, so it takes up much less space in a landfill; there are recycling options in many places (although recycling may require rinsing the trays);great insulating agent, so students wont burn themselves on hot plates.
Throughout my research, I have come to hate polystyrene much less, even though I still believe there are better options...
One option I have looked into is is Bagasse, or sugarcane, trays.
These trays are made from a bi-product of sugarcane production, and are sometimes even made to be compostable. The problem in my case is that there is no commercial composting facility in the state of Rhode Island, or close enough for this to be feasible. These trays also carry the stigma of being a sustainable option, and it seems crazy, but people will choose these trays to get credit for being green, and to quiet complaints about Styrofoam trays.
Bagasse - AGAINST: Almost three times more expensive than polystyrene; take up more room in a landfill; also use petroleum to make a film so that foods and liquids don't melt the tray; although it is compostable, they will likely only compost well in a large, commercial facility.
Bagasse - FOR: Responsibly sourced, comes from another processes bi-product; compostable (in a commercial composting facility); looks like a more sustainable option
The final, and in my opinion, most appealing option that I have researched is plastic, reusable trays.
There are a number of reasons why schools have decided not to use this option, or even to switch FROM plastic trays to disposable polystyrene trays. The biggest reason is cost. Although these trays decrease the annual cost of trays (after the initial purchase) the major cost created is the labor of the cafeteria worker who will place these trays in racks, send them through a dishwasher, and stack them once they are dry.
Reusable - AGAINST: Upfront cost; cost of labor; dishwasher cost (if needed); water and energy use to clean dishes; initial production materials and energy.
Reusable - FOR: Annual cost of tray purchases is much lower; little landfilling, only broken trays will be thrown away; less production materials and energy over time.
For school districts in Rhode Island, I compiled a Cost Analysis of these different options. The cost analysis will be almost the same in any US locations, the notes I added and companies I used may differ by region. Here is the Cost Analysis that I developed: School Tray Options - Cost Analysis
You can see on the cost analysis, that for polystyrene, I have included an option for a ThermoCompactor. I will post information about this option separately, since this post is jam-packed enough, as it is.
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