Banning Styrofoam in Your Town

One of the "attractive" things about styrofoam is that it holds heat. As someone who nurses a large cup of coffee for most of the day, I can see where that would be a plus for outdoor workers with no microwave for reheating things.

One possible solution for your favorite coffee vendor is refillable thermal mugs - portable advertising and less pollution!

-Lisse

@ Home in the World ( http://homeintheworld.typepad.com )

In addition to the environmental concerns...many believe that styrene is also a health risk, especially for women.

See this article on Styrofoam Cups ( http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/11-01/styrofoam... )

Styrene is considered a possible human carcinogen by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Once styrene gets into your food or drink—and then into you—what does it do? Studies suggest that styrene mimics estrogen in the body and can therefore disrupt normal hormone functions, possibly contributing to thyroid problems, menstrual irregularities, and other hormone-related problems, as well as breast cancer and prostate cancer. The estrogenicity of styrene is thought to be comparable to that of Bisphenol A, another potent estrogen mimic from the world of plastics.

Catherine Morgan
Women 4 Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ ) and Be The Change You Want To See In Yourself ( http://catherinemarie.wordpress.com/ )

Perfecto. I look forward to digging in. . .

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://www.blogher.com/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

Lisa,

Great article in the New York Times ( http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/22/science/earth/22... ) describing how customer questions led a CEO to green his company and save big bucks by doing so.

It doesn't specifically address styrofoam switching costs but it is inspirational.

Great post, Greenlagirl.

I've got to screw up my courage and go talk to the woman who runs my favorite doughnut shop here in town. She and her husband own the business, and I often see her little four-year-old daughter behind the counter "helping." She's definitely got better baked goods than the two gas stations and the Safeway trying to compete with her.

And she only sells coffee in two kinds of styrefoam cups. Looong lines of construction and garden workers beat me to her store every morning. This woman alone could change the coastal landfill of Northern California, she's so popular!

But it will be a pain for her -- so if anyone has any hints as to her costs or how to evangelize it to her, I would love some help. Could she save money? THAT would be popular...

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://www.blogher.com/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

Catherine -- Thanks for the info about the health concerns regarding styrofoam!

Bringing your own mug -- or maybe even takeout container? -- is always a great idea. Lotsa coffee shops -- even Starbucks -- offers a nickel or dime off for bringing your own -- so there's usually a financial benefit too :)

greenlagirl.com ( http://greenlagirl.com )