Can I recycle Styrofoam?
Even if your community recycles plastic #6, it may not accept EPS. It’s a similar case to the plastic bag conundrum, where different versions of plastics require separate recycling streams. If you haven’t recycled EPS before, here’s how:
Drop-off sites - Check Earth911.com to find where you can find polystyrene recycling in your area. Make sure to call local sites beforehand to make sure EPS is accepted and in what form. If they do take EPS, most accept packing materials but not food or medical containers. Bring empty containers free of tape, labels, plastic film, etc. As you know, contaminants can ruin the recycling process.
- Mail-back - If a drop-off site doesn’t exist in your area, you can also use a mail-back program such as the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers. Remember to remove all debris from the EPS before breaking it into smaller pieces that fit into a box for shipping.
- Reuse for loose fill - What about packing peanuts? Their simplest reuse is in another package you need to ship. You can also donate them to UPS or other shipping stores, who will gladly reuse the material. Not sure where to go? Call the automated, 24-hour Peanut Hot line at 800-828-2214 to find a site near your residence that will reuse them.
