Styrofoam Member Guide Preview

Styrofoam recycling material guide graphic

Monthly pickup material guide

Recycle Styrofoam with The ReCollective

Rigid expanded polystyrene packaging and coolers are collected every month with The ReCollective’s Hard-to-Recycle service.

This collection is limited to accepted rigid foam packaging. Food containers, cups, packing peanuts, and soft flexible foam need to stay out.

View All Accepted Materials View Plans & Pricing

Rigid molded Styrofoam packaging accepted for recycling

Collected every month

Rigid #6 EPS foam only This is the only type of foam accepted. Examples include rigid protective packaging, foam coolers, and rigid foam sheets.

Food container, cup, or packing peanut? Keep it out of this collection.

Small pieces Place small accepted Styrofoam pieces directly in your black waterproof bag.

Full clear bag Use the clear 55-gallon Styrofoam bag for larger amounts and set it beside your black waterproof bag only when full.

What we accept

Accepted Materials

EVERY MONTH
We accept only rigid expanded polystyrene foam, commonly marked with a #6 symbol. Items should be empty and free of food residue, tape, labels, cardboard, and other attached materials.

Monthly pickup members can include accepted Styrofoam every month. Use the clear 55-gallon bag for larger amounts and set it out only when full.

Rigid Styrofoam cooler accepted for recycling

Rigid foam coolers Remove handles, tape, cardboard, labels, and any other non-foam parts.

Protective packaging Rigid molded blocks and inserts used to protect appliances, electronics, furniture, and other products.

Rigid Styrofoam sheet accepted for recycling

Rigid foam sheets Firm EPS sheets and panels are accepted when free of tape, labels, paint, and attached materials.

Look for rigid #6 EPS

Accepted foam is firm and usually snaps when bent. Soft, squishy, or flexible foam is not accepted.

Materials not accepted

Keep These Out

Foam takeout containers, plates, bowls, or trays
Foam cups and egg cartons
Packing peanuts
Soft or flexible foam that bends instead of snapping
Foam packaging labeled as #5
Wet, dirty, painted, or heavily taped foam

Monthly pickup member guide

How to Set It Out

Keep pieces largeAvoid breaking foam into smaller pieces. Larger pieces are easier to handle and less likely to scatter.

Small amounts go in the black bagPlace small accepted pieces directly in your black waterproof bag.

Larger amounts go in the clear bagUse the clear 55-gallon Styrofoam bag and set it beside your black waterproof bag only when full. A replacement clear bag will be provided after collection.

Clear 55-gallon Styrofoam collection bag used for larger amounts — Use the clear 55-gallon bag for larger amounts and set it out only when full.

Mailback option
Accepted Styrofoam that fits inside may also go in the Almost Anything Mailback bag.

Where it goes

How Styrofoam is recycled

The material is kept separate because lightweight foam needs specialized handling and processing.

Collected from members

Accepted rigid foam is picked up with other Hard-to-Recycle materials.

Checked and consolidated

Our team removes obvious contamination and prepares the foam for our recycling partner.

Densified

Specialized equipment compresses the bulky foam into dense blocks that are practical to store and transport.

Used as recycled feedstock

The densified material can move to end markets that use it in new plastic products and building materials.

Common questions

Styrofoam Recycling FAQ

Use these answers when deciding whether an item belongs in the clear bag.

Do you accept every item marked with a #6?

No. This collection is limited to rigid expanded polystyrene packaging and coolers. Some #6 items are made from a different form of plastic, and foam food containers are not accepted.

Can food containers be included if they are washed?

No. Foam takeout containers, cups, plates, trays, and egg cartons are not accepted even when washed.

Can I include packing peanuts?

No. Packing peanuts are too small and easily scatter during collection and processing.

Can small Styrofoam pieces go in the Almost Anything Mailback bag?

Yes. Small accepted pieces that fit comfortably inside the bag can be included in the Almost Anything Mailback bag. Keep packing peanuts, food containers, cups, and flexible foam out.

Where does The ReCollective send accepted Styrofoam?

Accepted foam is sent to Orange Recycling Services, where it is densified for transportation to recycling end markets.

Should I break large pieces apart?

Avoid breaking pieces unless necessary to fit them safely in the bag. Larger pieces are easier to collect and recycle.

What is the difference between rigid foam and flexible foam?

Accepted rigid foam is firm and usually snaps when bent. Flexible foam is soft, squishy, or bends without breaking and is not accepted.

Can I recycle Styrofoam without a ReCollective membership?

Dart Container in Randleman, North Carolina accepts consumer foam at its recycling center. Confirm current requirements before making the trip.

Monthly doorstep collection