Recycle Styrofoam with The ReCollective

recycle styrofoam with The Recollective

The ReCollective Recycles Styrofoam

Styrofoam can take over 500 years to decompose in landfills, contributing to long-term pollution. Despite this environmental impact, the recycling rate for Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) in the U.S. remains alarmingly low, with only 1% to 2% being recycled annually. This low rate is primarily due to the challenges in collecting and processing this material effectively. That’s where ReCollective steps in!

At The ReCollective, we recycle Styrofoam across the Triangle, NC, including Durham, Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill, as well as through our Almost Anything Bag Mailback program. Styrofoam is collected every month in addition to our other core hard-to-recycle materials.

Accepted Materials

EVERY MONTH

Only clean rigid block Styrofoam (EPS), recycling type 6

  • Packaging blocks
  • Coolers

Materials NOT Accepted

Tips for Recycling Styrofoam with The ReCollective:

    • Only include styrofoam packaging and coolers. Please do not add food containers, packing peanuts, or flexible foam.
    • Small amounts may go directly in your black waterproof bag on pickup day. Larger pieces may be placed next to the bag and secured. If using the clear 55-gallon bag, please wait until it’s full before setting it out.
    • Avoid breaking styrofoam into smaller pieces when possible. Larger pieces are easier and more efficient to recycle.
    • Keep flexible foam and other non-styrofoam materials out. Flexible foam is soft and bends rather than breaking and will contaminate the load.
    • When possible, choose alternatives to styrofoam packaging to reduce waste at the source.
densified styrofoam blocks

How does The ReCollective recycle Styrofoam? 

Recycling Styrofoam with The ReCollective is simple. Members receive a 55-gallon bag to collect Styrofoam, which is then densified by our partner, Orange Recycling Services, to create reusable materials like plastic components and building supplies. 

Our Partners Who Make Styrofoam Recycling Possible

Orange Recycling Services logo

At The ReCollective, we encourage everyone to recycle Styrofoam, whether you’re a member or not. 

DART Corporation in Randleman, NC will accept consumer Styrofoam. Unfortunately, there are not many other local solutions.