Thais need to stop using and accepting Styrofoam products

Most people know it as Styrofoam, the trade name of a polystyrene foam product used for all sorts of things because of its insulation properties. 

From cups and containers that keep your food and coffee hot or cold, to packing material that serve as cushion so your computers – or whatever you’re shipping – will not get banged up in the process. It’s light weight, about 95 per cent air, means it won’t cost you virtually anything in terms of extra shipping cost.

But the whole world is against it and so should Thailand and the Thai people. 

As far back as a 1986 a report by the US Environmental Protection Agency report on solid waste said the polystyrene manufacturing process was the fifth largest creator of hazardous waste.

The basic building block of polystyrene is styrene, which is classified by the EPA as possibly carcinogenic (something that can cause cancer). Measures have been taken by US and other governments to limit the amount of worker exposure to styrene. 

In Thailand, many restaurants and eateries use polystyrene foam products, or Styrofoam, to put food in for customers who wish to do a take-away.

What the vendors don’t say or don’t know is that when toxic chemicals are unleashed from these products into the food they contain, especially when heated in a microwave. And of course, these chemicals are a threat to consumers’ health and reproductive systems.

Just as bad is the fact that technology to recycle polystyrene foam is extremely limited and thus, costly.

According to Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PDC), the number of used and discarded pieces of styrofoam in Thailand has grown significantly, from 34 million in 2009 to 61 million a day in 2013. Talking about being out of touch with the rest of the world. 

PCD director general Wichien Jungrungruang said the huge increase was because many Thais, especially those in cities, put convenience and comfort before environmental care or health concern. 

It takes more than 100 years for styrofoam to decompose, he said. Because of the health risk, Wichian suggested that consumers use compostable plastic or containers made from cassava and sugarcane, or other eco-friendly containers. 

The government should kickstart a campaign to set good examples for the public to follow. 

But it takes two to tango.

Statistics on the use of styrofoam suggest that Thai people are somewhat indifferent to public health and environmental concerns. But there is also the argument that the public has not been properly informed about the consequences of the product itself. 

Or we could put the blame game aside and do something about it, like properly educate people about the health and environmental consequences. 

And if they continue to put their convenience over their own and others’ well being, then the government needs to go beyond campaigns and think about fines, punishment, and law enforcement. 

The message is not just about personal safety of one self. It’s about the personal safety of the people around you and the world we live in.

An informed public that continues to ignore warning message is nothing less than a sad reflection of society. Sadly, we have got a government that tends to put popularity above unpopular measures. However, a government with any sense of responsibility would just show some guts and ban the product.