Eco-friendly Styrofoam alternative?
May 6, 2008 11:43 AM Subscribe
I’m looking for an eco-friendly, or at least less damaging, alternative to these Styrofoam craft cones.
I need something that would be sturdy, so I’m possibly looking for something made with recycled cardboard, cork or wood. I’m also hoping to find something either less expensive or in the same price range as the Styrofoam. For now my search is focused on the cone shape, but if you know of something in another shape I might use that in the future.
My Google attempts have only brought up EBay sellers with limited stock of cardboard cones. I’m interested in finding a bulk retailer if possible. Also, I’m not opposed to the idea of buying sheets of some material and fashioning a cone. I just haven’t been able to find anything like that, either. Any suggestions?
I need something that would be sturdy, so I’m possibly looking for something made with recycled cardboard, cork or wood. I’m also hoping to find something either less expensive or in the same price range as the Styrofoam. For now my search is focused on the cone shape, but if you know of something in another shape I might use that in the future.
My Google attempts have only brought up EBay sellers with limited stock of cardboard cones. I’m interested in finding a bulk retailer if possible. Also, I’m not opposed to the idea of buying sheets of some material and fashioning a cone. I just haven’t been able to find anything like that, either. Any suggestions?
There are some cardboard cones here. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
posted by Alison at 12:21 PM on May 6, 2008
posted by Alison at 12:21 PM on May 6, 2008
You probably won't find something cheaper, and as far as eco stuff is concerned, styrofoam isn't so bad.
It is made much cleaner now ("Expanded polystyrene used to contain CFCs, but other, more environmentally-safe blowing agents are now used"- wikipedia) and though it won't break down, neither will most stuff (yes, even organic stuff) that goes into landfills. Of course, recycling is better
And there may soon be ways to break down that styrofoam.
If you aren't going to use and then toss massive amounts of it, just go with the styrofoam.
posted by rmless at 12:21 PM on May 6, 2008
It is made much cleaner now ("Expanded polystyrene used to contain CFCs, but other, more environmentally-safe blowing agents are now used"- wikipedia) and though it won't break down, neither will most stuff (yes, even organic stuff) that goes into landfills. Of course, recycling is better
And there may soon be ways to break down that styrofoam.
If you aren't going to use and then toss massive amounts of it, just go with the styrofoam.
posted by rmless at 12:21 PM on May 6, 2008
Get some recycled cardboard, cut it, glue or tape into cone.
Um, so you are willing to use recycled cardboard, and willing to cut and fashion material into cones, I guess there is some reason this wouldn't work for you?
posted by yohko at 2:29 PM on May 6, 2008
Um, so you are willing to use recycled cardboard, and willing to cut and fashion material into cones, I guess there is some reason this wouldn't work for you?
posted by yohko at 2:29 PM on May 6, 2008
Response by poster: I guess I'm not sure where to get the sheets of recycled cardboard. I've never seen them for sale anywhere. Are sheets of recycled cardboard readily available somewhere?
posted by shesbookish at 4:32 PM on May 6, 2008
posted by shesbookish at 4:32 PM on May 6, 2008
Well, do you want to reuse cardboard or buy cardboard that has been remanufactured into cardboard? Try asking appliance stores if they have any boxes, you may need to buy them, but if you are lucky they will tell you to take what you like from the dumpster. Cardboard is usually sorted out for recycling instead of being mixed with the regular trash.
If you want to buy cardboard sheets, look in the phone book under "packaging".
posted by yohko at 11:24 PM on May 6, 2008
If you want to buy cardboard sheets, look in the phone book under "packaging".
posted by yohko at 11:24 PM on May 6, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by aerotive at 11:55 AM on May 6, 2008