Recently we have been reviewing the literature on the relative merits of disposable paper versus Styrofoam products. There is a new recognition that a complete life cycle assessment is necessary to evaluate the environmental impact of a product. Such an assessment would begin with the raw material acquisition and continue through the various manufacturing processes, noting energy usage, waste products generated and recyclability, ending with ultimate product disposal. The experts all agree that analysis of the environmental merit of paper versus Styrofoam is a complex issue. Where they disagree is by how much.
Paper starts with trees.
Styrofoam starts with petroleum. He estimates it takes 25 to 27g of wood and bark for a paper cup with a finished weight of 10.1g. At 10.1g that would be 30.3g of wood and bark. Dr. Hocking says it takes 10 times the steam and 14-20 times the electricity to produce that uncoated paper cup as compared to its Styrofoam counterpart. Said another way that would be about two times the energy and a little under three times the toxic chemicals to make paper.