Styrofoam Recycling
Every time you unbox a new TV, computer, or appliance, you're left with piles of Styrofoam packing material. While it may seem like just bulky waste, tossing Styrofoam into the trash harms our environment and fills up landfills with non-biodegradable material.
At GreenCitizen, we make it easy for you to responsibly recycle Styrofoam. By choosing to recycle, you're taking a stand against pollution and helping to create a more sustainable future.
Styrofoam Recycling with GreenCitizen
GreenCitizen is providing a Styrofoam recycling service to repurpose and reuse this plastic, as well as lessen the impact on landfills. Discover more about the responsible recycling of foam below, as well as how you can participate!
Styrofoams That Are Accepted & Recycled by GreenCitizen
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Styrofoam #6
Examples: Styrofoam from newly packaged furnitures, electronics, & food packaging.
Types of Foam
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam #6
ACCEPTED
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE/PELD) foam #4
NOT ACCEPTED
Foam/Packing Peanuts
We accept clean packing peanuts for free
Is Plastic Foam Biodegradable?
The standard plastic foams, like other plastics #1 to #6 are generally not biodegradable, with the exception of some #7 foams.
Is Plastic Foam Recyclable?
Plastic foam is recyclable if it is not contaminated and uniformly separated from other plastics. Currently if you place Styrofoam in a recycling bin it will be sent to a landfill. It is estimated that Styrofoam can take up to 30% of the space in the US landfills.
How Does GreenCitizen Recycle Foam?
Styrofoam, also known as foam and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), is fed through the Plastic Foam Densifier (PFD) XT200 of which densified Styrofoam ingots are produced which can be used in applications like picture frames and architectural crown molds. The machine first shreds the foam where it is then heated and pressurized into a paste.
What Is Densified Styrofoam Used For?
Styrofoam ingots can be granulated to make other plastic products such as pens, rulers, and plant containers
Styrofoam ingots can be granulated to make other plastic products such as pens, rulers, and plant containers
Several picture frame manufacturing companies use the ingots as a base for their frames
Surfboard companies have used re-polymerized Styrofoam as a filler material in their surfboards
Another way the foam can be recycled is to mechanically chop it down, clean it, and extrude it into recycled plastic resins (rLDPE, rPS) which can be used to make new products (as mentioned above) or be blended with virgin plastic resins (say a 70% / 30% blend) to create a new product while maintaining structural integrity and quality.
What Is Densified Styrofoam Used For?
| Truckload | $900 |
| Gaylord Bins* | $60 per bin (Additional $110 will be required as pickup fee) |
| 30-Gallon Bag | $5 per bag |
*Gaylord bins are 48" x 40" x 36" and can theoretically hold 40 cubic feet of foam if optimally packed
Residential Drop-off Pricing
| 30-Gallon Bag (waist high) | $5 per bag |
| Foam/packing Peanuts | FREE |
| Unpopped Bubble Wrap | FREE |
Note: Residential Styrofoam drop-offs are chargeable either by the piece or by volume
Are You Ready to Recycle Styrofoam? Let's Get Started!
Business Pickup
The prefect option for San Francisco Bay Area Businesses wanting to recycle Styrofoam or Polyethylene.
Residential Drop-off
If you are a San Francisco Bay Area resident and want to recycle your Styrofoam, you may drop it off at our Burlingame Eco-Center.
Green Directory
Out of San Francisco Bay Area? Check out the Green Directory to find your nearest recycling center.
