Styrofoam

[RoloMather]

At my last job, co-workers used to put Styrofoam cups and plates in the microwave on a regular basis. I thought this was a suburban phenomena, as the job was in Mountain View.

But now, at my city job of 3 months, I've seen my new co-workers microwave food on/in Styrofoam products several times.

On my conservation checklist, this is a HUGE no-no! But I'm not sure how to handle. Is this an occurrence at anyone else's work place? How do you respond?

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: RoloMather
At my last job, co-workers used to put Styrofoam cups and plates in the microwave on a regular basis. I thought this was a suburban phenomena, as the job was in Mountain View.

But now, at my city job of 3 months, I've seen my new co-workers microwave food on/in Styrofoam products several times.

On my conservation checklist, this is a HUGE no-no! But I'm not sure how to handle. Is this an occurrence at anyone else's work place? How do you respond?

I do it myself actually. I read up on it and apparently it doesn't cause cancer.

What's wrong with it?

 

[guyver01]

Why is this a no-no?


Styrofoam is the brand name of a plastic product (yes, Styrofoam is a kind of plastic) whose generic name is polystyrene. The white foam used, for example, in hot beverage drinking cups (Styrofoam proper) isn?t the only kind of polystyrene used for food: Clear plastic ?clamshell? containers are also made of polystyrene.

Contrary to popular belief, some Styrofoam and other polystyrene containers can safely be used in the microwave. Just follow the same rule you follow for other plastic containers.

I microwave my food on a styrofoam plate at work, because paper gets too malliable and wont hold up well under the weight of the food.

 

[guyver01]

bump to first page... inquiring minds want to know why it's a no-no

 

[drdops]

The only thing Styrofoam cups are used for at my work is for sticking on peoples hard hats when they are not looking.

 

[gorobei]

the process used to make/form the white foamtype of cups uses steam to expand the little nodules into the molding shape. so they contain a certain amount of water.

if you microwave just the foam without any water or food, the waves affect the water content in the foam and the cup/plate will breakdown or deform. if there's liquid or food with enough moisture then it's no problem.

 

[hanoverphist]

we use styro cups and plates here at my work, and i have a stack at my house for use also.