Polystyrene chips

Is it ok to use the polystyrene chips that you get in parcels to bulk out and add drainage to the bottom of containers?

 

I don't see why not although they might blow over a bit easier being lightweght for their size.

 

Yes, I always do that. And the bigger bits of polystyrene that hold square objects securely in boxes are good to break up and use too.

 

Thanks @pete @Tidemark

 

I too use Poly. chunks in the base of planters as well as in a mix for my orchids. You can also add a stone or 2 in the planter base to give it some weight.

 

Thanks @Philippa .
I'm not too concerned about them tipping over. They're all pretty stable shapes and the patio is sheltered. I've had them for years and I'm emptying most of them onto the beds and will refill mostly with compost.

 

Not recommended for edibles ! Or the 'cheesypuff' pieces which are blown starch, which eventually degrade.

 

There are some packing peanut designed to be water soluble. They look like croquette shaped and are normally white and quite squishy but obviously one to avoid.

 

I understand expanded polystyrene contains the chemical styrene - apparently a carcinogen. It might be worth checking how that might leech out into the environment.

 

They're the cheesy puff ones. I did wonder about them degrading.
Perhaps I'd better stick to the plant container type.

 

https://www.ecopackagingsolutions.co.uk/product-page/large-box-of-eco-fill

Oh, like those maybe. They say. Eco, but not sure what that means these days!

 

Yes, if shrink in situ, then an easy cavity for ants/woodlice to move right in !

 

I can remember polystyrene seed trays, and pots.
Nobody died.

 

It means they are biodegradable, probably blown starch, best with either Soy Sauce or Ketchup.
There is not a lot of styrene in polystyrene as that is a waste of money for the manufacturers.
In food containers styrene has to be less than 0.5%.

 

They were very popular in the past, polystyrene trays were actually the norm for bedding plants in the past. The box had divisions so you could easily snap off a strip, each box had 5 strips of which 10 bedding plants per strip were sown into, we used to supply Woolworths with bedding plants and they were in these type of trays. We also used to make growbags with 100% polystyrene beads with added nutrients for a strawberry grower, he always had bumper crops.

I only had sausage, chips and gravy in them foam polystyrene trays last week, still here.