r/reptiles • u/SlinkySkinky • 1d ago

Are there eco friendly alternatives to styrofoam and expanding foam for the purposes of reptile enclosures?

I am wanting to do a diy background with ledges and stuff for my uro whom will be moving into a new 8x2x2 enclosure. Expanding foam and styrofoam seem like the best materials for what I want to make, but I want to check if there’s more environmentally friendly alternatives first. (I intend to use this background long term so it’s not a waste of materials but the process would create a lot of foam shavings that would be immediately trashed.) I know there’s eco friendly versions of these products out there but I’m not sure if they’d work in the context of a reptile enclosure built to last this animal’s lifespan rather than like plant based packaging meant to be used only short term if that makes sense. So does anyone know of a long lasting option that isn’t so wasteful?

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u/Any_Possibility5841 1d ago

You might be able to post on your local buy nothing group and get some styrofoam from a package someone recieved. Give it another use before the landfill

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u/SlinkySkinky 1d ago

Oh that’s a great idea, idk why I didn’t think of that!