polystyrene
Squeaky packing material
Polystyrene is a lightweight plastic made from petroleum, used in two main forms.
Solid polystyrene appears in disposable cutlery, CD cases, and plastic models.
Expanded polystyrene—often called by the brand name Styrofoam—is the white foam used for coffee cups, packing peanuts, and insulation.
The material is durable but notoriously slow to biodegrade.
Made larger or wider
- extrudedForced through an opening
- EPSCompany profit per share
- XPSDocument format or laptop line
- styrofoamExpanded plastic foam material
beads · pellets · porous · spongy · rigid · molded · sheets · blocks
Softening force or fall
- protectiveServing to guard
- peanutsEdible underground legumes
- insertsItems placed within others
- moldedShaped by a cast
containers · clamshells · trays · boxes · shipping · fragile · electronics · appliances
Heat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- petrochemicalProduct from crude processing
- resinViscous plant secretion
- monomerChain-forming molecule
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
amorphous · transparent · rigid · brittle · extrusion · thermoforming · laboratory
Thermal transfer prevention
- sheathingProtective outer layer
- boardsPlanks or governing bodies
- panelsFlat rectangular sections
- foundationUnderlying support structure
roofing · underlayment · R-value · fill · roadbed
Resists natural decomposition
- landfillWaste burial ground
- wasteUnwanted discarded material
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- litterScattered waste or debris
pollution · recycling · bans · single-use · persistent · breakdown · photodegradation · incineration
expanded
Made larger or wider
styrofoam · beads · pellets · porous · spongy · rigid · molded · sheets · blocks · boards
cushioning
Softening force or fall
- protectiveServing to guard
- peanutsEdible underground legumes
- insertsItems placed within others
molded · containers · clamshells · trays · boxes · shipping · fragile · electronics · appliances · takeout
thermoplastic
Heat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- petrochemicalProduct from crude processing
- resinViscous plant secretion
- monomerChain-forming molecule
polymerization · amorphous · transparent · rigid · brittle · extrusion · thermoforming · laboratory
insulation
Thermal transfer prevention
foundation · roofing · underlayment · R-value · fill · roadbed
non-biodegradable
Resists natural decomposition
- landfillWaste burial ground
- wasteUnwanted discarded material
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
litter · pollution · recycling · bans · single-use · persistent · breakdown · photodegradation · incineration · alternatives
sculpture
Shaped three-dimensional art
scenery · dioramas · cosplay · props · ornaments · display · embellishments
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, acids, reagents, solutions
- plasticsplastics, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC
- Synthetic Materialsnylon, polyester, acrylic, plastic, synthetic fibers
- Chemical Industrychemical engineering, chemical manufacturing, chemical plants, industrial chemistry, petrochemicals
- insulatorsrubber, insulator, glass, dielectric, electrical tape
polystyrenecardboard
Rigid paper for containers
paper · wood · bamboo · cork · natural fiber
polystyrenebiodegradable materials
Items that decompose naturally
compostable materials · recycled paper · sustainable packaging · eco-friendly materials
polystyrenebiodegradable materials
Items that decompose naturally
compostable packaging · paper · cardboard · bamboo · hemp fiber