What Kind of Foods Are Packaged in Polystyrene?

Polystyrene is a material made of petroleum and closely related to plastic. It is used heavily in the food industry to make everything from forks and plates to packaging for meat and fruit. Polystyrene is often confused with Styrofoam, which is a material patented by the Dow Chemical Co. and most often used as insulation or packing material.

Beverages

• Beverages like coffee or soda are often served in polystyrene cups. They insulate the beverage, holding it at an appropriate temperature while keeping moisture away from your hand. The foam-like texture comes from blown air trapped inside the material and is called "expanded" polystyrene.

Takeout Boxes

• Polystyrene is leak-resistant and strong enough to hold whatever food you are transporting. Restaurants use these types of boxes for leftovers.

Meat

• Polystyrene products are recyclable in some areas.

  The meat cuts you peruse at the market are often placed on polystyrene trays. Other cookout items like plates and utensils are different forms of polystyrene.

Eggs

• Egg cartons are polystyrene when they are not made of cardboard.

Small Fruit

• The little boxes you tote berries in are polystyrene with a slightly different look. This clear material is not yet expanded with air.