Like so many things, “it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Purchase a household appliance, computer, television set or even a simple toolbox, and in most cases you receive a free load of foam packing along with it. The hard molded shapes are a pain to break up into smaller pieces for disposal. Strictly speaking, this isn’t “Styrofoam.” That brand name, also known as “XPS foam,” applies only to the blue panels used for home insulation made by the Dow Company. The white stuff securing your new toaster in the box is expanded polystyrene foam, or EPS.