sphere, “...in addition to the CO2 emissions during the transformation of the crude palm oil into processed palm oil” (Lau 2017). An effect of deforestation, other than greenhouse gases, is the endangerment of species found in those areas. With palm oil, the main species suffering the consequences is the orangutan. “An estimated 1000-5000 orangutans are killed each year for this [palm oil] development” (Loki 2017). Orangutans are going extinct because their homes and sources are being destroyed. They flee their homes in order to survive but many end up dying anyways, usually from starvation, if they aren’t killed for their meat. However, many organizations are trying to stop these effects from continuing to happen. They are working on guidelines to instill in order to limit deforestation and create a more sustainable source of palm oil. This won’t be an easy task, but many companies have already pledged to use sustainable palm oil, even more have yet to do so. Apart from ingredients used in instant ramen noodle production, packaging used to sell these soups are also negatively affecting our planet.
Instant Ramen Noodles can be manufactured and sold in different forms from plastic wrappers to plastic bowls. One of the most common forms, however, is in styrofoam cups. Many instant ramen noodle companies use styrofoam because it is a great insulator. It keeps the soup warm once cooked, and it also keeps the consumer from burning themselves while they hold the cup. Sounds like a good product to use but the harmfulness of styrene outways the benefits it can have. Styrofoam, also known as polystyrene, is made up of three chemicals: benzene, styrene, and pentane. Benzene and styrene are extracted from petroleum and are both used to make polystyrene. Pentane is used as a “blowing agent” to expand polystyrene into styrofoam. Pentane makes polystyrene much lighter than its original weight. However, “...occupational exposure to [benzene and styrene] compounds carries increased risk of cancer for plant workers” (Kremer 2003). Styrofoam is a inexpensive, light, and durable material that many companies tend to use for packaging but a large amount of that styrofoam is discarded into landfills or burned. “[Styrofoam] takes 500 years to decompose, and it takes up to 25-30% of our worlds landfills… There are 57 chemical by-products released during the manufacturing of styrene, polluting our air and waterways” (Lucas 2014). Manufacturing styrofoam isn't the only time chemicals are released into the air, it also happens when it is burned after being used. “Burning styrofoam gives off 90 different hazardous chemicals, including styrene vapors and dioxins” (Kremer 2003). There are ways in which styrofoam can be recycled, but there aren’t many recycling plants available that actually do recycle it. Because of this, a majority of styrofoam is thrown out into landfill. There are alternatives to styrofoam, such as new forms using starch. “Glenn works at the ARS Western Regional Research Center in Albany, Calif… [and has] been developing and patenting innovative, "green" techniques for transforming commonplace plant starches—like the silky white cornstarch kept in kitchen cupboards everywhere—into convenient, biodegradable foamed goods like shipping liners, dinnerware and more” (Wood 2009). Although styrofoam might seem like an impressive product that can make packaging items easier, it actually does more damage to the earth and to the body in the long run. Instant ramen noodle packaging isn’t the only source of waste created by this product, it is also created in the manufacturing factories. However, this type of waste is being repurposed.
It goes without saying a factory is bound to create waste when in use. With instant ramen noodle factories, studies have shown noodle wastewater can be beneficial. There are generally two major types of wastewater. The first is liquid waste, which contains starch and the second is solid noodle waste, which contains starch, lingo-cellulose, and oil. In order to convert noodle water waste into different products,