Styrofoam Peanuts

[Ray]

Color can make a difference as well.

• Pure expanded polystyrene is white, and OK to use.

• Green ones are sprayed to indicate they are recycled, and they seem to be OK.

• Light blue (like you'll sometimes find in packages I ship) have a mild antistatic on them to make them easier to handle. They seem to be OK, too.

• The pink ones are sprayed with a strong antistatic chemical (for shipping electronics) that is supposed to be phytotoxic, so avoid them.

• The starch-based ones are probably the most environmentally-friendly (although I don't know the impact of their manufacturing process), but being water soluble, they should never be used in horticulture.