ADVERTISEMENT
Leftover Expanded Polystyrene: From Trash to Treasure Thanks to These Ingenious Repurposing Ideas
Polystyrene, also known as expanded polystyrene or EPS, is a material widely used in product packaging due to its lightness and ability to protect items from impact and damage during transport.
However, once it has fulfilled its purpose, it often becomes problematic waste due to its low biodegradability and small volume, taking up space in landfills and generating negative environmental impacts. Fortunately, there are ingenious and environmentally friendly alternatives for reusing leftover polystyrene, transforming it from trash to real treasure.
Thick Polystyrene Paste:
Dissolving polystyrene in gasoline allows you to obtain a dense and malleable paste similar to paint, which can be used for various craft and modeling projects. Here are the steps to follow to complete this process:
Gather the Styrofoam Scraps: Collect the Styrofoam scraps you want to reuse. This can include leftover packaging, food trays, disposable cups, and more.
Safety Precautions: It is important to carry out this process in a well-ventilated area and away from heat sources or open flames. Gasoline is a highly flammable liquid.
Crush the Styrofoam: To facilitate dissolution, crush the Styrofoam into small pieces or grids using a blade or grater.
Dissolving in Gasoline: Place the Styrofoam pieces in a sturdy container and pour enough gasoline to completely cover them. Allow the Styrofoam to dissolve in the gasoline for several minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the process. Making the paste: Once the polystyrene is completely dissolved, you will have a thick, malleable paste. It can be molded or used to fill holes and cracks in various craft projects.
Clear polystyrene varnish:
In addition to the thick paste, the polystyrene can also be dissolved in acetone and a general-purpose polyurethane thinner. You can obtain a clear varnish, which can be used to protect and finish various surfaces. Here are the steps to create this varnish:
Continued on the next page
ADVERTISEMENT
