styrofoam containers?

[newbyplantlover]

I stumbled across a great planter idea - styrofoam. I've got a cooler, and some portable bait containers now that are a great size to turn into a planter. The only thing is ... I'm not sure how to paint them. I know it's possible, but there might be a specific paint to use. I bought a can of spray paint which actually is melting the styrofoam. No help there. Any paint ideas?

Also - I am needing to put tomatoes in containers and am wondering about using these for the containers. I know edible fruit plants you want to be more careful about what they're potted in. Is styrofoam safe? Is painted styrofoam safe? I try to eat organic produce, so it is important to me that I'm not inadvertently eating chemicals. Thanks guys!

[The Helpful Gardener]

Styrene (the primary ingredient, hence the name) has been shown to be toxic on several levels. The carcinogen potential is classified thusly by EPA;

there may be an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. However, the evidence is inconclusive due to confounding factors. EPA has not given a formal carcinogen classification to styrene.

[url]https://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/styrene.html[/url]

There is clear data that styrene is taken up by plants...

[url]https://www.janethull.com/newsletter/0908/dangerous_toxins_youve_eaten.php[/url]

All in all I think this is a very bad idea for food crops. Very bad...

I don't buy anything strofoam anymore as this stuff is a planetary bad deal...
HG

[newbyplantlover]

Thanks Scott! Very helpful info, thanks.

[Nicola0709]

if you are going to use the stryo boxes, then make sure they are food grade ones... (they are treated differently, apparently)

[a0c8c]

Most any paint will melt styrofoam. They print on them with inks similar to printers, never paint. Oil and Petroleum based paints will melt them the quickest.

[butsiethesungo]

This is some very good information and I'm thankful that you shared it. I had no idea about the toxins in styrofoam and will probably just toss everything out, since I don't want my plants infected.

Jeremy