Polystyrene sheets are a popular choice for insulation and packaging needs across New Zealand. They are easy to handle, lightweight and provide excellent thermal protection.
Styroboard EPS (expanded polystyrene sheet) is ideal for insulating concrete slab floors, and provides water resistant protection for block walls. It also offers excellent compressive strength and thermal protection.
Insulation
Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your existing home, the quality of insulation is very important. The insulating material you choose should have a high R value for your climate zone. R values refer to how well the insulation resists heat flow.
The key to any bulk insulation is its ability to trap air pockets. Foams like EPS and extruded polystyrene (XPS) have this property. They also resist the transfer of radiant heat and provide excellent R-values.
Glass wool is another type of insulator that comes in blankets and batts. It can be installed easily, but it is a more expensive option than other products. It does not itch and is non-allergenic and non-toxic. It is also environmentally friendly and has a 50-year warranty. It also cuts easily with a craft knife and does not compress when joined together. It is a good choice for ceilings and walls. It is odourless and easy to work with, so professional installers can wear standard construction site safety gear.
Packaging
Polystyrene sheets Auckland are highly versatile, providing an ideal solution for a variety of insulation and packaging projects. They are used in the production of electronics packaging, protective systems for helmets and children’s car seats, keeping fresh produce chilled as well as ground fill for construction projects. They are also highly recyclable, with up to 98% of Styroboard EPS being air.
While PS is an exceptionally safe material, it does pose potential health concerns if not properly managed. If the styrene polymerisation process is not fully completed, free styrene monomer may contaminate the product (termed ‘residual monomer’). This can then migrate from PS food containers into fatty foods, such as milk and eggs.
While there are a number of recycling initiatives in place throughout New Zealand, tradespeople need to be proactive about their waste management. Rather than paying landfill fees, they should make use of the styrene recycling service provided by their EPS manufacturers. This will keep waste out of landfill and benefit the environment.
Transport
Polystyrene sheets are versatile and easily transportable making them a popular choice for insulation and packaging needs in New Zealand. However, it is important to note that styrofoam can cause environmental harm when it is not properly disposed of. Styrofoam is a highly lightweight plastic that can blow around and find its way into the environment. This includes landfills, rivers and creeks. Styrofoam can also be ingested by animals, causing blockages and internal damage.
Due to the polymerisation process used to make PS, styrene monomer may contaminate a finished product. This contaminant, known as residual monomer, can migrate into food stored in a PS container. This migration is greater in fatty foods, such as milk. Both the NZ and US EPA consider styrene to be a possible human carcinogen. Furthermore, styrene is considered hazardous by both OEHHA and NZ EPA because it is flammable, toxic to humans, corrosive to metals and very ecotoxic in the aquatic environment (algal, crustacean, slightly harmful to fish) [22]. These factors make PS an undesirable material for disposal.
DIY
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is a versatile and cost-effective material that has many uses. It is available in sheets, blocks, spheres, and cones, and can be cut into an unlimited number of shapes. It is the most popular insulation and packaging material worldwide.
It is also resistant to mold, mildew, and insects. It is a light, durable material that can be cut using a variety of manual and computer-controlled machinery. Its rigidity also allows it to be sculpted into delicate but form-retaining structures that mimic the appearance of materials much heavier and more expensive.
If you’re tired of tossing disposable Styrofoam cups, food trays, and packing peanuts into your recycle bin, there are a lot of useful hacks that you can use to upcycle them. You can even use them to add some extra traction to your gardening soil. Simply sprinkle them in the bottom of your pots before you add soil, and it should help prevent plants from tipping over or falling over as they grow.