Challenge
The environmental cost of packaging, particularly single-use materials like Styrofoam, has become increasingly evident. Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene (EPS), is a common packaging material known for its insulating properties and lightweight nature. Yet, its environmental drawbacks are significant:
Non-Biodegradable: Styrofoam can take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to landfill overflow and environmental pollution.
Resource-Intensive Production: Manufacturing Styrofoam is energy-intensive and relies on non-renewable petroleum resources.
Waste Accumulation: As a single-use product, Styrofoam contributes heavily to global waste, often ending up in oceans and harming marine life.
According to the National Solid Waste Department, Malaysia currently has 165 landfills, eight sanitary landfills, and three inert landfills for materials such as sand and concrete. Local environmental experts have forecasted that no space will be available by 2050 if nothing is done to reduce waste.