Polystyrene foam packaging has been a topic of environmental debate for decades, and several international brands have made moves to phase it out. This slow trend may have been accelerated last month when the National Research Council (NRC) affirmed the National Toxicology Program’s 2011 finding that the organic compound styrene can “reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”

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In terms of consumer hazards, the biggest styrene concern is with food packaging, as studies have shown that this substance can leech out of polystyrene takeout food and drink containers, says Mike Schade of Safer Chemicals. “If you drink coffee or soup or eat Chinese food from a polystyrene foam container you can potentially be exposed to this chemical, which government agencies consider reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”

Schade says that this latest listing of styrene means we are likely to see more cities and states ban, restrict and regulate polystyrene food packaging. “In New York City there have been proposals to ban polystyrene food packaging that were proposed when Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in office.” Based on that, Schade says, it’s very likely that companies will voluntarily begin to phase out the packaging nationwide.

Slow changes in consumer packaging
While the NRC’s decision gives the science more leverage, campaigns and petitions against food and drink retailers that use the material have been waged for years. In the 1980s, public awareness of waste was growing, with polystyrene food containers being a major target. In 1990, McDonald’s switched from polystyrene foam “clamshells” to paper-based wraps for its sandwich packaging. In 2012, in the wake of the National Toxicology Program’s report, Jamba Juice made a public commitment to stop using polystyrene foam cups after more than 130,000 people signed a petition calling for action.

Dunkin’ Donuts, on the other hand, continues to use its trademark polystyrene cup in the US. However, it has made a pledge to replace its cup within two to three years. Commenting on the NRC’s recent announcement, Christine Riley Miller, senior director of corporate social responsibility at Dunkin’ Brands says: