New polystyrene uses 50% plant-based material and breaks into fragments for potential recycling

What happened

New polystyrene operates with 50% plant-based material and breaks into fragments for potential recycling, according to Phys.org. Polystyrene is used in protective packaging for televisions and electronic devices, in decorative boards and baseboards for interior construction, and in petri dishes. It is one of the world's most important plastics, with nearly 20 million tons produced each year.

The material is predominantly derived from crude oil and is rarely recycled. Virgin polystyrene is often cheaper than recycled material, meaning that used products are typically incinerated or sent to landfills. Like many other plastics, polystyrene is highly resistant to degradation in the environment.

Key facts

• New polystyrene — uses: 50% plant-based material and breaks into fragments for potential recycling, according to Phys.org