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Evaluating EPS Efficacy in Comparison to Sustainable Alternatives for Packaging Produce

CSEF · 2026 Earth & Environmental Sciences(Senior Division)

Landon Hermono

Overview

Agricultural goods are commonly packaged using expanded polystyrene (EPS or Styrofoam), which creates a great amount of environmental waste and pollution. EPS doesn’t degrade easily and contributes to microplastic contamination in soil and food systems. The goal of this experiment is to determine whether biodegradable packaging materials can replace EPS packaging without sacrificing effectiveness in protecting and preserving agricultural produce. This experiment was carried out through a series of tests that evaluated both the chosen materials' biodegradability and performance. Overall, findings show that certain biodegradable materials can match or exceed the performance of EPS in some categories, however trade-offs in qualities such as moisture resistance and impact absorption still exist. These findings implicate that sustainable alternatives to EPS can be used without sacrificing packaging ability.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2026 Earth & Environmental Sciences(Senior Division) · Entry S-08-17

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