Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Mincer, Tracy

Abstract

This past year has seen an exponential increase in the amount of polystyrene foam products utilized for convenience purposes. Home food delivery services, takeout, and packaging from the surplus of online shopping are major contributors to the overall presence of polystyrene foam products polluting the environment. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), is made from petroleum, like most common plastics. However, polystyrene (PS) foam comprises over 90% air which makes it difficult to recycle due to its lightweight and bulky nature. The polystyrene foam is therefore discarded with trash or littered in the environment. The foam products become lost in the environment and make their way to rivers and the ocean to begin the decomposition process which is sped up by UV irradiation. The microplastics and nanoplastics resulting from breaking down PS products will subsequentially impact the wildlife with effects that were made clear in various studies that have been conducted.

Comments

Thesis (B.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, 2021

Extent

44 p.

Identifier

FAUHT00169

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