Back to ToxinChecker

Styrofoam / Polystyrene Food Container

Avoid

Disposable takeout containers and single-use food packaging

Check Prices on Amazon

Materials Used

  • Expanded polystyrene (EPS, recycling #6)

Common Marketing Claims

  • Lightweight insulation
  • Cost-effective packaging

Editor's Note

One of the worst food contact materials for both health and environmental impact. Avoid using for hot or fatty foods. Opt out whenever possible in favor of glass, stainless, or even HDPE.

Is Styrofoam / Polystyrene Food Container safe?

Styrofoam / Polystyrene Food Container is rated Avoid — one of the higher-concern items in our database. Based on the materials used and the concerns listed above, we recommend finding a safer alternative for everyday use.

Key concerns at a glance:

  • Styrene — the building block of polystyrene — is classified as a possible human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B)
  • Leaches styrene into fatty or hot foods
  • Essentially non-recyclable and environmentally persistent

Cleaner Alternatives to Consider

Compare Styrofoam / Polystyrene Food Container

See how this item stacks up against other popular materials and products.

vs. Polycarbonate Plastic Food Containervs. Tritan Plastic Food Containervs. Borosilicate Glass Food Containervs. Stainless Steel Food Containervs. Reusable Silicone Storage Bagvs. Beeswax Food Wrapvs. PVC / PVDC Plastic Cling Wrapvs. HDPE Plastic Food Container (#2)vs. Mason / Ball Glass Jarvs. Disposable Aluminum Food Containervs. LDPE Zip-Lock Plastic Bag (#4)vs. Kraft Paper Lunch Bagvs. Pyrex Glass Food Storage Containersvs. Anchor Hocking Glass Storage Containersvs. Stasher Reusable Silicone Bagvs. LunchBots Stainless Steel Containervs. Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containervs. OXO Good Grips POP Containervs. Polypropylene Food Container (#5 PP)vs. Stainless Steel Bento Boxvs. Silicone Stretch Lidsvs. Glass Water Bottlevs. Stainless Steel Water Bottlevs. Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottlevs. Aluminum Water Bottlevs. Stainless Steel Vacuum Thermosvs. Glass Meal Prep Container Setvs. Stainless Steel Kids Lunch Boxvs. Natural Wax Papervs. Small Glass Snack Jarvs. Reusable Mesh Produce Bagsvs. Souper Cubes Silicone Freezing Traysvs. Abeego Beeswax Food Wrapvs. Bee's Wrap Reusable Food Wrapvs. Kinto Stainless Steel Water Bottlevs. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Bottlevs. Hydro Flask Water Bottlevs. Nalgene Tritan Wide-Mouth Bottlevs. Glass Food Storage with Snap Lidsvs. To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil and Lunchbox Setvs. PlanetBox Stainless Steel Lunchboxvs. Reusable Glass Drinking Strawvs. Stanley Quencher Tumbler