CENTRAL COLLEGES OF THE PHILIPPINES

HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Styrofoam as Decorative Tiles

An Investigatory Project
Presented to the
Faculty of Senior High School
Central Colleges of the Philippines

In partial fulfillment of
The requirements in RP12:
Research Project/Investigatory Project

Jhake Aarone A. Del Mundo

March 2019
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Chapter One

Introduction

Background of the Study

Nowadays, we often throw our used Styrofoam everywhere. From being

food cases, and to being cups for your coffee, we use Styrofoam in every way we

can. The hard thing about this is that the waste that we are creating by this

Styrofoam is causing troubles to our environment. They are clogging our sewage

systems since its non-biodegradable. Sadly, most of the time we throw these

Styrofoam since we don’t see the use of them anymore. When we take our food

to go, bought some coffee and even packages, they all have tons of Styrofoam

that are being thrown away improperly. We chose this study because we want to

lessen the problems with our sewerage systems, not only that but to lessen

waste that are very harmful for other living species. We also want to lessen the

air pollution being brought to by improper burning of plastics, leaves and metals

since they take millions of years to actually break apart so people tend to burn

them, because of burning, they release foul smell, and black smoke that can

choke other people that inhaling them.

With that said, using Styrofoam can lessen this problem in our

environment, as we use Styrofoam into creating a new product that can be

handful for people who wants to design without a lot of budget in mind, we can
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lessen the improper wasting of the Styrofoam. The researchers are to collect the

thrown Styrofoam from food containers, cups and packages to create the

experiment and see if Styrofoam can be used to create Decorative Tiles. Which

are much more viable than manufactured tiles that are pricey in the market, with

the reusing of used Styrofoam the researchers are to create an as viable and

effective as manufactured Tiles. By using Styrofoam we will lessen the improper

wasting of Styrofoam and plastics, not only that we could lessen the clogging to

our sewerage systems, and also help lessen the air pollution due to its improper

disposal.

To solve or lessen the problems dealing with improper wasting of

Styrofoam is the key part of this study, and to create an output out of it is a

necessity, reducing the improper disposal of Styrofoam can lead to less, clogging

of sewerage systems, people don’t tend to burn them, and actually make

something useful out of them, be them furniture, utensils, plates and other things

that can be very helpful to everyday life, just by reducing the waste of Styrofoam

and creating something out of it is a great thing for all of it.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to create Decorative Tiles from Used Styrofoam

Significance of the Study

This study will be significant to those who are determined to solve the

problems that we encounter on our environment.

Environmentalists. This study could help them to know more certain

ways to reduce the Styrofoam improper wasting and creating something new for

it that is affordable and also to reduce the improper wasting of Styrofoam which

clog our sewage systems and resulting to floods.

Students. This study could benefit them to create a more efficient way to

both produce a product that is convenient to their fellow students, and also to

reduce the improper wasting of Styrofoam which clog our sewage systems and

resulting to floods.

Future Researchers. They can use this study as their review related

literature and also if they want to continue the inadequate work of the past

researchers.

Definition of Terms

Improper wasting of them is the problem we are solving to create more out

of it by recycling it. Styrofoam is also a plastic which is a thermostat, so melting

them and manipulating them can create something new for its uses.
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Chapter Two

Review of Related Literature

This chapter discusses the review of related literature regarding to the

researcher’s topic. This chapter also contains Synthesis, Conceptual Framework,

and Research Paradigm.

Use and Origin

According to Bellis, M. (2019). Polystyrene is a strong plastic induced from

erethylene and benzine. It can be injected, extruded or blow molded. It makes it a

very useful manufacturing material. Polystyrene is commonly recognized in the

form of Styrofoam used for beverage cups and food packaging. German

apothecary Eduard Simon discovered polystyrene in the year 1839. However, he

did not know what he had discovered. It took another chemist in the name of

name Hermann Staudinger to realize that Simon's discovery, consist of long

chains of styrene molecules, was a plastic polymer.

According to Post media Network Inc. (2010). Polystyrene a 1938

invention of Dow Chemical, the people who brought us Ziploc bags and bleach --

has its qualities, both in its non-expanded form, used for utensils and coffee lids,

and in the expanded Styrofoam variety. Used for food, it's light, durable,

waterproof and affordable, says Helene Sauvageau, a spokesperson for Recyc-

Quebec, a provincial government agency responsible for waste reduction. "It

protects and preserves certain types of foods," Sauvageau explained. "If we

didn't have it, food would go bad more quickly. It would end up in a landfill site

and create greenhouse gases. So there are not just negative sides to these

materials."

According to Chemical Safety Facts (2019), Styrofoam is a universal

plastic that is used to produce a large variety of products. It is often used in

products that need clarity, such as food container and laboratory materials.

Combining Styrofoam with additives, pigment or other type of plastics can create

things such as appliances, gadgets, automobile pieces, toys, pots, equipments

and many more. Expanded Polystyrene is a foam material that is also made of

Styrofoam. It is valued for its insulating and soft characteristics. Foam

polystyrene can contain more than 95 percent air and it is widely used to produce

house and appliance insulation, lightweight packaging, surfboards, food

containers and many more. Home appliances such as refrigerators, air

conditions, ovens, microwaves and other appliances are often made with
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Styrofoam because it is long lasting, cost-effective and it doesn’t react with other

materials. Styrofoam have also a big role in making car pieces and it foam

Styrofoam is often used in making child protective seats. Styrofoam is useful in

making packaging not just because it is lightweight but it also keeps the food

fresher and long lasting, also it is way more cheaper compare to other.

Styrofoam can protect products from damage and spoilage so that it is also a big

part in other packaging such as CD and DVD cases, egg cartons, meat trays and

many more expanded Polystyrene is a foam material that is also made of

Styrofoam. It is valued for its insulating and soft properties. Foam Polystyrene

can contain more than 95 percent air and it is widely used to produce house and

appliance insulation, lightweight packaging, surfboards, food containers and

many more.

Negative effects of Styrofoam

According to Post media Network Inc. (2010). It's in your plastic cutlery,

it's under your meat, and it’s the lid on your latte. Polystyrene is for at least 200

years longer than you will be clogging up storm drains and landfills. So why is

this tenacious product, better known by its trademark Styrofoam, still being used

to wrap everything from green peppers to sirloin steaks?

According to Collier County (2019). The Earth Resource Foundation

reports that Styrofoam manufacturers were the fifth largest producer of toxic
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waste in 1986. Over 90,000 workers face exposure to the effects of styrene, the

basic building block of polystyrene, each year in industries such as rubber and

fiberglass manufacturing companies. Styrene is classified as a possible human

carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency and by the International

Agency for Research on Cancer. Health effects from exposure to styrene include

irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and gastrointestinal problems.

According to Barroso K. (2018). An environmentalist greatly disapproves

Styrofoam products because they claim it wreaks chaos on the environment. One

of the main concerns regarding Styrofoam is that it's not biodegradable and

therefore takes up a lot of space in landfills, which adds to the pollution problem.

If littered, Styrofoam sometimes disintegrates into smaller pieces that are more

difficult to clean up. Another argument against Styrofoam is that it's made from

non-renewable fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals, which can also contribute to

pollution. Styrofoam sometimes makes its way into waterways and can have

disastrous effects on animals that may confuse it for food or nesting material.

Positive effects of Styrofoam

At Loblaws which is known as "Canada's largest health store" the meat

department is awash in Styrofoam. "With meat, we need to have materials that

will ensure a quality product that doesn't deteriorate," said Josee Bedard, director
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of corporate affairs for Provigo, But, Loblaws also wraps everything from corn

cobs to organic mushrooms in Styrofoam. It stocks products like Naturegg,

packaged in Styrofoam, next to other eggs encased in cardboard and recyclable

plastic.
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Chapter Three

Methodology

This chapter discusses the methodology that was applied in this study. It

includes the Sources of the Materials, Tools, Equipments, and Apparatus, and

Procedures in Creating Decorative Tiles from used Styrofoam

Sources of Materials

The researcher’s gathered its materials from numerous food stalls, and

other recycle labeled trash cans. The materials gathered from such food stalls

are Styrofoam that is a focal point at for the project in which it is the main

material to create such product and find other uses for it. The colors used

however are from the researcher’s own, since the researchers only used old

pastels and colors from which are not being used anymore. The only materials

that needed to be bought from the market are potential molders, and oil. The oil

helps the Styrofoam to melt faster, the oil can be store bought or from the

researcher’s home, it’s the same. The molders can either be store bought or from

old, metal toys that takes shapes when you put something on them. The color

palettes and or pastels can are sourced from the researchers old school supplies

which are not being used anymore. Without these materials the project will not be

possible.
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Tools, Equipments, Apparatus

The researchers needs table spoon to mix out the melted Styrofoam and

to also measure the wet ingredients such as oil that are essential to the study

and to manipulate the shape and size of the Decorative Tiles. The researchers

also needs cardboard and foil tape to create the moulders also, glue sticks and

glue. The researchers need colours to create new depth and bring out new

designs for the product and it also helps the Styrofoam from further overcooking.

The researchers also need oil to help melt the Styrofoam better, and be the

mixture to help smoothen out the surface of the tiles. The researchers need a

stove to melt the Styrofoam as it needs a certain amount of temperature that can

only be achieved by using a stove.

Procedure in creating Decorative Tiles from Styrofoam

Heat up the thick pan or cover lid into the stove; it’s better to melt the

Styrofoam on the hottest base possible since the Styrofoam needs certain low

heat for it to actually melt. After heating the base pan or cover, put the colors or

pastels first since they have an oil content and could contribute to the melting of

the Styrofoam as they are heated, note that it will be better to use oil pastels as

they already have oil content already, and could pretty much lessen the oil

expended. After the colors or pastels had been melted, put 2 table spoons of oil,

just to balance with the Styrofoam and to make the liquid or melted Styrofoam

smoother. After heating the colors and oil, put 220 grams of Styrofoam cups
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depending on the shape and space meaning deeper or not so deep base on the

molder. After putting the Styrofoam manipulate it to melt alongside the colors and

oil. For two minutes the Styrofoam should be melted, note that you really need to

mix the Styrofoam to the colors to completely merge it with the colors and to also

get rid of the color of the Styrofoam. After mixing you can put the liquid into the

molder and even it with a spoon or a metal scraper for cakes to even out the

surface and to add pressure for the Styrofoam to take more shape of the molder,

note that you really have to even out the surface of the liquid for it to come out

taking the shape of the molder and with an even surface. Another note that you

need to put the liquid immediately to the molder since Styrofoam is easy to set

and hardened. After that wait for the molder and the melted Styrofoam to cool

down, note that you need to cool down the Styrofoam for it to set and become

solid, not only that so that you won’t have to be burn by the hot liquid. Remove

the Styrofoam from the molder it should be solid since, the melted Styrofoam is

fast to set and it will become solid and the decorative tiles made from the

Styrofoam is done.
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Chapter Four

Results and Analysis, and Conclusion

This Chapter has the Results and Analysis, and Conclusion of the project

which goal is to answer the problem in Chapter 1

Results and Analysis

As the results for the Styrofoam as Decorative Tile it only takes several

minutes to create it. As the researchers analyze the procedure of creating it, the

researchers notice that while the Styrofoam cup or plate started to melt and the

oil pastel bind. When placed the melted Styrofoam eventually takes the shape of

the molder. The researchers observed that while doing the procedures, the

melting Styrofoam can produce a bad odor due to the smoke that it’s producing.

The researchers also advised to do it beyond the reach of children as it produces

bad odor and it’s extremely hot to touch so be careful, avoid being around the

reach of the children while doing the experiment. The melted Styrofoam has also

melts well with the oil pastels and it doesn’t have the burnt color unlike the other

tests. The researchers observed that the decorative tile has a smooth texture at

the bottom but at the top surface it has a slightly rough texture. The researchers

also observed that the Decorative Tiles are durable enough to withstand a certain

amount of height and impact. The researchers also observed that the product
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itself is somewhat oily in a certain way, as it helps smoothen the surface and

lessen the bad odor produced by the melting of the Styrofoam.

Conclusions

It’s easy to create Decorative Tiles from used Styrofoam provided with the

right materials; however there are certain materials and tools to use when

creating the product.

Chapter Five

Recommendations

This chapter includes the recommendations for future researchers.

Recommendations

The researchers recommend for the future researchers to find a way to

lessen the odor that the burnt Styrofoam produces, not only that but we also

recommend to find another ingredient aside from oil to serve as the binder of the

Styrofoam as the product is oily and stick to touch unless settled. The

researchers also advised to find another ingredient for the Styrofoam to melt

aside from putting it on a high heat. The researchers also advised to try and

recreate this qualitatively, using Laboratory Apparatus that the researchers failed

to used.
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Future Researchers – the researchers recommends to further test the durability

and strength of the product, not only that but to test the procedures and hopefully

find a better way to create the product.

Construction Company – the researchers recommends to test if the product is

suitable to not only Decorative Tiles, but also Manufactured Construction Tiles.

Inventors – the researchers recommends that inventors or developers test the

product and find a way to improve the product, find a new ingredients to improve

the durability and strength of the product and the overall performance of the

product.

References