Thermocol, also known as styrofoam or expanded polystyrene, is made from polystyrene and carbon dioxide. It is lightweight but highly polluting as it does not biodegrade and releases toxic gases when burned. Thermocol contaminates soil and water bodies, harming plant growth and marine life. Researchers have developed methods to recycle thermocol by compressing it using heat and pressure or dissolving it using solvents like acetone or orange peel extract. However, thermocol remains a major threat to the environment if not disposed of properly.

1. THERMOCOL
AThreatToThe Environment
Name: Shriya Mhatre
Roll No: P21006
MSc Part 2
Paper 4

2. INTRODUCTION
 Contains important thermoplastic compound called polystyrene.
 Polystyrene is obtained by polymerization of styrene.
 Polystyrene is fused with CO to get thermocol .
 CO2 act as expanding agent.
 Also called Styrofoam / Expanded polystyrene(EPS).
Styrene
Polystyrene
2

3. Introduction….
 It Consist of 95- 98% air.
 Low density & High Volume.
 Good Insulator.
 Used to manufacture plates, cups, packaging materials, containers etc

4. Why Thermocol Is A Threat To The Environment ?

5. Thermocol ContaminatesThe Soil
Thermocol is non-biodegradable.
Does not undergo bacterial decomposition.
Resistant to photolysis.
Makes the soil infertile.
Disrupts the natural growth of plants.
‘Not just a ban on plastic, regulate thermocol too’ -The Hindu

6. ReleasesToxic Gases
 Thermocol on burning does not get burn properly.
 Leaves a molten residual matter.
 Molten residue gets rigid.
 Releases toxic gases like carbon monoxide, styrene vapors etc. thermocol burning - Bing images

7. Impact On Marine Life
 Thermocol floats on water.
 Causes marine debris.
 Sunlight Penetration gets reduced.
 Oxygen levels in ocean gets depleted.
 Leach toxic chemicals into the water.
 At least 162 marine species have consumed thermocol with other litter.
thermocol in water pollution - Bing images

8. Environmental Impacts OfThermocol..
Brominated flame retardant used on Styrofoam has negative effect on
environment.
Hydrofluorocarbon used as expanding agent is a major pollutant.
Thermocol when thrown in open drains results in flood.
Disrupts the food chain.

9. Impact On Human Health
In 2002, the International Agency For Research On Cancer has showed that styrene
may contain carcinogens.
Toxic gases leads to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract irritation.
It increases the risk of heart disease.
Thermocol Plate contaminates the food.

10. CanWe RecycleThermocol?

11. THERMINATOR
Invented by Ferdin Sylvester a 29 year old
environmental engineer.
The machine compresses kilos of thermocol
into small masses using heat ,pressure and
gravity.
Low density & High Volume thermocol gets
converted into High density & Low Volume
thermocol .

12. Therminator….
Thermocol is heated in a controlled environment chamber
Heated till its glass transition temperature is reached which is lower than its melting point
Thermocol behaves like wax
Pressure system squeezes the air out of the thermocol
Compression plate compresses the thermocol
High density & low volume thermocol can be sent out for further recycling process

13. Recycling Using Acetone
Dr Devidas Naik, a senior scientist from BARC found a new
technique to dispose thermocol.
Started adding thermocol in a beaker containing 100 ml acetone.
Air inside the thermocol gets released.
Thermocol gets converted into a clay like substance.
Can be used to make artefacts and models.
Image sources :Acetone Dissolving Styrofoam Cup What is Material Modelling and Why... | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)

14. Recycling Using Orange Peel Extract
A group of researcher from IIT Hyderabad demonstrated a cheaper way
of recycling thermocol using orange peel extract( Citrus extract).
Thermocol was dissolved in this extract and fibres were drawn out of it
using wet spinning process.
Fibres were converted into fabric of 1 square foot size.
Dissolving polystyrene in orange peel extract will not change its
chemical composition.

15. References :  https://housing.com/news/thermocol-ceiling/
 https://thelocalbrand.com/thermocol-destroying-environment-need-awareness/
 https://byjus.com/questions/what-is-thermocol-made-up-of/
 https://www.thebridgechronicle.com/pune/scientist-finds-technique-dispose-thermocol-29287
 http://uest.ntua.gr/heraklion2019/proceedings/Presentation/5.SRIDHAR.pdf
 (PDF) Impacts ofThermocol waste on marine life: A Review (researchgate.net)
 MeetThe 'Therminator' - A DeviceThat Helps RecycleThermocol –YouTube
 Scientist finds technique to dispose of thermocol (thebridgechronicle.com)
 Now you can recycle thermocol using orange peel -The Hindu

16. THANK YOU