Other Lake Issues
Un-encapsulated Styrofoam (Polystyrene)
Despite the many concerns about the unencapsulated blue styrofoam used for dock flotation, it is still widely used. It starts to breakdown when waterlogged or from long-term sunlight exposure, and some mammals like to chew on it as well. It is often found floating in the water or washed up on shore and is a source of pollution in our lakes and ponds.
Polystyrene is banned in some parts of the country but there are no state or local bans in New Hampshire. There are alternatives including encapsulated foam which helps protect the environment and will save homeowners money in the long run as it lasts longer.
In the photo above, the polystyrene is encapsulated in a hard shell so it doesn’t breakdown and pollute the waterbody.
Blue foam used for dock flotation found littered along the shores of Lake Sunapee. Photo by Norm Dalton.
Click here to read an article from the Camden Conservation Commission about the problem with unencapsulated foam (Maine).