The Ultimate Guide to How To Dispose Of Styrofoam

How to dispose of styrofoam is a problem that most of us encounter in our lives.

The answer is not as simple as throwing it in a recycling bin or trash can. Improper disposal of polystyrene foam can cause serious environmental pollution, clog landfills, pollute streets, and break down into microplastics, harming wildlife and ecosystems.

Understanding What You’ll Dealing With

Before we tackle disposal, it’s crucial to understand what Styrofoam is and why it’s so problematic.

What is “Styrofoam”?

The term “Styrofoam” is often used generically, but it’s actually a trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) commonly used in insulation and craft projects.

What most of us encounter in packaging and food containers is Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). For the purposes of this guide, we’ll use “Styrofoam” to refer to the common white EPS foam.

• Composition: EPS is about 95-98% air and only 2-5% polystyrene plastic.
• Properties: It’s incredibly lightweight, an excellent insulator, and has superb cushioning properties, which is why it’s so popular for packaging and disposable food ware.

Why is Styrofoam So Difficult to Dispose Of?

1. It’s Mostly Air (The Bulkiness Problem)

• The Science: Styrofoam is about 95-98% air and only 2-5% actual polystyrene plastic.
• The Disposal Consequence: This extreme bulk-to-weight ratio makes it economically unviable for curbside recycling programs. Collection trucks would fill up with lightweight, low-value material very quickly, spending immense amounts on fuel and labor to collect and transport what is essentially “packaged air.” It’s not cost-effective for municipalities.

2. It’s Not Economically Viable to Recycle

• Low Value vs. High Processing Cost: The raw material value of recycled polystyrene is low. Meanwhile, the process to recycle it is specialized and expensive. It requires dedicated compactors that melt and densify the foam into a solid brick or log, which can then be sold to manufacturers.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Because it’s not profitable, most standard Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)—the plants that sort your curbside recycling—do not have this specialized equipment. They often treat Styrofoam as a contaminant and send it to the landfill.

3. It Contaminates Easily

• The Problem of Purity: For Styrofoam to be recycled, it must be clean and pure.
  • Food Containers: Oil, food residue, and drink remnants render Styrofoam unrecyclable. The cost of cleaning it is prohibitively high.
  • Packaging Materials: Tape, labels, glue, and plastic film must be meticulously removed, which is labor-intensive and often impossible to do completely.
• Consequence: A single contaminated piece can spoil an entire bale of recyclable material, leading recyclers to simply reject it altogether.

4. It’s Not Biodegradable

• The Science: The chemical structure of polystyrene is very stable and resistant to natural breakdown processes. It is not considered biodegradable.
• The Environmental Consequence: In landfills or as litter, Styrofoam persists for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It doesn’t return to the ecosystem but instead breaks down physically into smaller and smaller pieces.

5. It Creates Microplastic Pollution

• The Process: As Styrofoam sits in the environment, it crumbles and fragments into tiny pieces known as microplastics.
• The Impact: These microplastics are easily carried by wind and water, contaminating soil, rivers, and oceans. They are ingested by wildlife, entering the food chain and potentially impacting ecosystem health.

6. It’s Difficult to Incinerate Safely

• Toxic Emissions: When burned in open fires or low-temperature incinerators, Styrofoam releases toxic fumes, including styrene gas, which is a suspected human carcinogen and an air pollutant.
• The Consequence: Safe incineration requires extremely high-temperature facilities with advanced air pollution controls, which are not available everywhere. This makes burning it a dangerous and unpopular disposal option.

The Ultimate Disposal Hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Trash

The most sustainable approach follows this hierarchy. Always consider the options in this order.

Reduce and Reuse (The Most Sustainable Choice)

Before you dispose, ask: Can I avoid it or use it again?

Creative Reuse Ideas for Clean Styrofoam:

• Packaging & Shipping: Save clean packing peanuts, blocks, and sheets for your own shipping needs or offer them to local small businesses or online selling groups.
• DIY Crafts and Projects:
  • Plant Drainage: Break up large blocks into small pieces and use them in the bottom of plant pots instead of stones. They are lightweight and improve drainage.
  • Seed Starters: Carve small depressions in a block for starting seeds.
  • Insulation: Use sheets to line pet shelters or to create a cheap insulator for a garage refrigerator.
  • Model Building & Halloween Decor: Its carve-able nature makes it perfect for architectural models, school projects, or tombstones.
• Donate: Schools, art centers, makerspaces, and theater groups often welcome clean Styrofoam for art and set design projects.

Recycle (The Preferred Disposal Method)

Recycling is the best option when reuse isn’t possible. This requires a bit of legwork.

Step 1: Check for the Recycling Symbol (But Don’t Trust It Blindly)
Look for the triangular recycling symbol, often with a number “6” inside (PS for Polystyrene). 

However, the presence of this symbol does NOT mean your local program accepts it. It merely identifies the plastic type.

Step 2: Determine Your Local Options

• Curbside Recycling: This is the exception, not the rule.
  * Action: Visit your municipal waste management authority’s website or call them directly. Do not rely on general knowledge. Use their “What Goes Where” search tool.
  * If They Do Accept It: Follow their rules meticulously. It usually must be:
  * Clean: Free of all food, tape, labels, and film.
  * Bagged: Placed in a clear plastic bag (this prevents lightweight pieces from blowing away at the facility).
  * Separated: Not mixed with other recyclables.
• Drop-Off Recycling Centers (The Most Common Solution):
  * Retail Drop-Off: Some major retailers offer take-back programs. The key players are:
  * UPS Stores: Some locations accept clean packing peanuts.
  * PACK & SHIP Centers: Businesses like Pak Mail and similar packaging stores often accept clean EPS blocks and peanuts.
  * Municipal/County Drop-Off Centers: Your local government may operate a recycling center that accepts EPS, even if curbside pickup doesn’t. A quick web search for “[Your City] EPS recycling” or “[Your County] household hazardous waste” is a good start.
  * Dedicated EPS Recyclers: Companies like Dart Container Corporation (a major producer) operate drop-off facilities in many states. They accept clean, white food service EPS (cups, clamshells) and packaging. Search for “Dart Container EPS recycling” to find a location near you.

Step 3: Prepare the Styrofoam for Recycling
Proper preparation is non-negotiable.

1. Clean It: Wash off any food residue or dirt. Let it dry completely.
2. Remove Contaminants: Peel off all tape, sticky labels, and plastic film. Any non-EPS material can contaminate the entire recycling batch.
3. Check the Color: Most recyclers only accept white or clear EPS. Colored or black foam is often not accepted due to the dyes used.
4. No “Compostable” or “Biodegradable” Peanuts: Do not mix these with EPS. They can be identified by their ability to dissolve in water (they are often made from cornstarch).

Trash (The Last Resort)

If you have exhausted all reuse and recycling options, and the Styrofoam is dirty, contaminated, or used for food, landfill disposal is your only remaining choice.

How to Dispose of Styrofoam in the Trash Responsibly:

• Break It Down: To save immense space in your trash can and the landfill, break large pieces into smaller chunks.
• Contain the Mess: Place all Styrofoam pieces securely in a trash bag and tie it closed. This prevents lightweight pieces from becoming wind-blown litter on collection day.
• Never Burn It: Never burn Styrofoam in a fire pit, stove, or fireplace. Burning polystyrene releases toxic styrene gas, which is hazardous to your health and the environment.

Special Cases and Nuances

Not all foam is created equal. Here’s how to handle specific types.

• Packing Peanuts: These are a special case. Many are now made from cornstarch (which dissolves in water) and are compostable. Test one in water. If it dissolves, it can often be composted or even dissolved in a sink. If it doesn’t, follow the recycling or reuse steps above. Many shipping stores gladly accept clean peanut donations for reuse.
• Food Containers (Cups, Clamshells, Meat Trays): These are almost always contaminated and are rarely accepted in recycling streams unless specified by a dedicated program (like Dart’s). If they are soiled, your only option is the trash. Always clean them thoroughly if attempting to recycle.
• Building Insulation (XPS “Blue Board” or Pink Foam Boards): This is extruded polystyrene (XPS), not EPS. It is generally not accepted with EPS recycling. Disposal for construction materials is different and often requires a trip to a specific construction and demolition (C&D) landfill or a specialized recycler. Check with your local C&D facility.
• Coolers: Large, thick Styrofoam coolers are difficult to recycle due to their size. Check with a drop-off center to see if they have size limitations. Reuse is the best option—offer it on a freecycle or Buy Nothing group.

Step-by-Step to Dispose Styrofoam

Step 1: Identify Your Styrofoam Type

Check What You Have:

• Packaging Foam: White, crumbly blocks used in electronics boxes
• Food Containers: Coffee cups, takeout containers, meat trays
• Packing Peanuts: Loose fill used in shipping boxes
• Building Insulation: Usually pink or blue boards (XPS, not EPS)

Quick Test:

• Try to snap a piece – EPS breaks easily, XPS is more flexible
• Check for food contamination
• Look for recycling symbols (#6 PS)

Step 2: Clean and Prepare

For Potentially Recyclable Styrofoam:

1. Remove Contaminants:
   • Peel off all tape and labels
   • Remove any plastic film or stickers
   • Separate non-foam components
2. Clean Thoroughly:
   • Rinse food containers with water
   • Use mild soap for greasy residues
   • Allow to dry completely
3. Sort by Type:
   • Keep different colors separate
   • Separate clean packaging from food containers
   • Group similar materials together

Step 3: Explore Reuse Options

Before Disposal, Consider:

1. Local Reuse:
   • Offer on Freecycle or Buy Nothing groups
   • Donate to schools for art projects
   • Give to local businesses for shipping
2. Practical Reuses:
   • Use for drainage in plant pots
   • Create custom packaging for fragile items
   • Make craft projects or insulation for pet houses
3. Storage Solutions:
   • Break down large pieces for compact storage
   • Keep a “reuse box” for future needs
   • Label by type and cleanliness

Step 4: Research Local Recycling Options

Find Specialized Facilities:

1. Online Search:
   • Search “EPS recycling near me”
   • Check Earth911.com recycling database
   • Visit FoamFacts.org for locations
2. Local Inquiries:
   • Call your municipal waste authority
   • Contact local packaging stores (UPS, PakMail)
   • Check with hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s)
3. Verify Requirements:
   • Ask about accepted types and forms
   • Check if they charge fees
   • Confirm preparation requirements

Step 5: Prepare for Recycling Drop-off

If You Found a Recycler:

1. Final Preparation:
   • Ensure all pieces are clean and dry
   • Remove any remaining contaminants
   • Break down large pieces if required
2. Transport Preparation:
   • Place in clear plastic bags (if required)
   • Keep different materials separate
   • Secure for safe transportation
3. Documentation:
   • Note the facility’s hours and fees
   • Bring identification if required
   • Keep receipt if paying for disposal

Step 6: Last Resort – Proper Trash Disposal

When Recycling Isn’t Possible:

1. Volume Reduction:
   • Break large pieces into smaller chunks
   • Compress if possible (wear a mask)
   • Fill voids with smaller pieces
2. Secure Containment:
   • Place in sealed trash bags
   • Double-bag if pieces are sharp
   • Ensure bags are tied securely
3. Prevent Litter:
   • Don’t overfill trash cans
   • Place out on collection day only
   • Weight down lids in windy weather

Step 7: Special Cases

Packing Peanuts:

1. Test Type:
   • Crush one – if it dissolves, it’s starch-based
   • If static-clingy, it’s traditional EPS
2. Disposal Options:
   • Starch-based: compost or dissolve in water
   • EPS: reuse or take to shipping stores
   • Contaminated: trash

Food Containers:

Clean vs. Dirty:

• Clean containers: check local recycling
• Soiled containers: trash is only option
• Greasy containers: generally not recyclable

Large Blocks:

Check with:

• Local recyclers for size limits
• Municipal bulk pickup programs
• Special collection events

Conclusion

Disposing of Styrofoam responsibly requires a conscious effort, but it is far from impossible. Here is your quick-action summary:

1. REUSE FIRST: Can it be used for crafts, packing, or donated?
2. RESEARCH RECYCLING: Never assume curbside takes it. Use online resources to find a local drop-off center (retail or municipal). This is your most likely solution.
3. PREPARE PROPERLY: If recycling, ensure it is clean, dry, and free of all labels and tape.
4. TRASH AS A LAST RESORT: If no other option exists, break it down, bag it securely, and place it in the trash. Never burn it.