We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Can I Recycle Styrofoam™?

By Bethany Keene
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 18,606
Share

While it is technically possible to recycle Styrofoam™, it is a difficult process that is not commonly offered in community recycling programs or curbside pickups. Styrofoam™ is a trademark of the Dow Chemical Company, referring to expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), which is also designated as plastic #6.

Though there are various types of EPS used in different ways, the most common type that can be recycled is that which is used for craft materials and packaging materials. Food service packages, such as foam cups, are not usually recyclable and are technically not made from Styrofoam™. If you are unsure whether a piece of Styrofoam™ is recyclable, check for the number 6 inside the recycling triangle somewhere on the package, or check with your local recycling center.

Even though it may be more difficult to recycle Styrofoam™, it is very important to do so. Styrofoam™ is not biodegradable and can remain as a pollutant on our planet for 1,000 years. Because it is so light, Styrofoam™ easily travels around the world and remains floating on top of the water in the ocean. When it does begin to break down, it releases chemicals into the soil and groundwater -- this is why it is so important to properly recycle Styrofoam™.

The easiest way to recycle Styrofoam™ is to either drop it off at a local recycling center or place it out for curbside pickup. If this is not offered in your community, the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers offers a mail-back program, which offers the opportunity to mail Styrofoam™ to them for recycling for just the cost of shipping. Because Styrofoam™ is so light, it is a fairly economical solution.

Another way to prevent Styrofoam™ pollution is to re-use it yourself, or donate it to someone else to re-use. Some shipping retailers or grocery stores will accept foam to re-use for packaging, and schools might also use leftover Styrofoam™. If you need to mail delicate items, save the foam peanuts that come in your packages and mail them again.

More programs are in development every day to make it easier for businesses and consumers to recycle Styrofoam&trade. If one is not available in your community, take advantage of the mail-back programs or re-use the Styrofoam™ in creative ways until a recycling program is available. If you can avoid it, try to avoid purchasing food containers made of Styrofoam™, because these cannot be recycled and will only pollute the environment even more when thrown in the trash and taken to a landfill.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By lilychen — On Jun 19, 2014

Before I found my first job, I had no idea about how to recycle waste, especially styrofoam or daily plastic packages. In fact, nowadays, there are special companies that manage waste, especially waste plastic, like my company. I'm proud of what I am doing for the environment, and I know a lot about recycling.

By anon335090 — On May 17, 2013

Marko Foam here in California has a waste to wave campaign collecting used non-food EPS (often called styrofoam) and making it into surfboard blanks.

By MissDaphne — On May 05, 2012

@dfoster85 - I'm glad you brought that up! I have been trying to cut down on my packaging, but it's difficult. Sometimes you just want to pick up som fast food! But most fast food joints are a lot better these days about using paper packaging instead of polystyrene.

As a teacher, I really try to teach my students to reduce their paper usage. They are enthusiastic recyclers, which is all very well and good - but if they write five words on a piece of paper before recycling it, how much have they really helped the environment? I emphasize using the whole page, front and back, and I always run off their worksheets front and back.

By dfoster85 — On May 04, 2012

We are lucky in our community - our curbside pickup takes all numbers of plastic, 1-7. But the thing with Styrofoam is that it has often been used for food. I don't think they can recycle dirty containers, so ones that have food all over them have to be thrown away.

What that means for you as the consumer is that if you *really* want to help the environment, stop *buying* things packaged in foam!

When I was a kid at school, they taught us "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." It's easy to forget to "recycle" was not the first step - it was the last. The very best thing you can do for the environment is not to recycle; it's to use less of everything, including packaging.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/can-i-recycle-styrofoam.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.