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From UpCycleIt

Expanded polystyrene packaging material

Polystyrene is that white foam that you see just about everywhere and is commonly called Styrofoam, which is a trademark name. It is used in packaging, insulation, coffee cups, etc.

[edit] Upcycling polystyrene

[edit] Turn polystyrene into a glue

Warning: The safety of this project has not been evaluated by UpCycleIt.com. Use information at your own risk.

What you need:

• Styrofoam products: cups, packing material, plates, etc.
• Solvent: Pure Orange Oil (d-Limonene) is a good organic solvent and would be the most eco-friendly
• Paintbrush
• Gloves
• Half-gallon to 5-gallon plastic container to hold solution

What you do:

• Pour biodegradable solvent into a large container.

• Add styrofoam to the container. The solvent will slowly break down the styrofoam.

• The resulting liquid will be very sticky and is perfect for use as a permanent glue around the house.

• Use a paintbrush to apply the solution as a glue.

It seals adobe bricks (among a multitude of other things). Just paint it on and let it dry.

Warnings:

Follow all of these steps outside and with plenty of fresh air. Possible toxins and/or flammable substances released include benzene, styrene, and ethylene. Don’t get the solvent or the solution on your hands; use gloves that won’t rip and are completely enclosed (no holes or permeable fabric). While becoming increasingly popular as a more natural alternative to other solvents, d-Limonene is still a little hard to find in the United States. Try searching online or in your local hardware store.

[edit] Environmental concerns

Expanded polystyrene is not easily recyclable because of its light weight and low scrap value. It is generally not accepted in curbside programs. Expanded polystyrene foam takes a very long time to decompose in the environment and has been documented to cause starvation in birds and other marine wildlife. According to the California Coastal Commission, it is a principal component of marine debris. A CIWMB (California Integrated Waste Management Board) Report finds that “in the categories of energy consumption, greenhouse gas effect, and total environmental effect, EPS’s environmental impacts were second highest, behind aluminum. Restricting the use of foamed polystyrene takeout food packaging is a priority of many solid waste environmentalist organizations, like Californians Against Waste.