This very property makes polystyrene so lightweight and insulating at the same time. That’s why it’s frequently used for packaging, insulation materials, and coolers. Its water-repellent properties contribute significantly to its long lifespan and also allow it to dissolve in acetone, as you can see in the video.
Despite these useful properties, the global recycling rate is very low—less than 12%—with single-use packaging accounting for nearly 30% of non-biodegradable plastic waste. Key challenges include additives, contamination, logistics, and economic factors. This often makes recycling unprofitable, which is why more sustainable alternatives and upcycling strategies are increasingly coming into focus.
Quellen:[1] Z. Xu, D. Sun, J. Xu, R. Yang, J. D. Russell, G. Liu, ChemSusChem 2024, 17, e202400474.[2] PW Consulting Chemical & Energy Research Center, Global Polystyrene Packaging Market 2026, https://pmarketresearch.com/chemi/polystyrene-packaging-market/ (Zugriff: 15. Juni 2026).