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Polystyrene protective packaging material comes in two forms. Loose fill called "peanuts", "popcorn" or "foamies", allow varying shaped items to be shipped safely in the same box. Shaped or molded packaging is used to fit snugly around delicate items and products to protect them. Both types of packaging are reusable and it is the hope that the consumer will reuse this product before recycling.
Recycling of polystyrene; identified by recycling #6, is not part of residential curbside recycling programs. The bulk of the peanuts in combination with their lightweight make it cost prohibitive to recycle polystyrene in less than industrial quantities. Fortunately there are other ways to recycle polystyrene peanuts. The first preference for the environment is to reuse them.
If this is not an option for you, here are some other suggestions:
- Contact local shipping firms to see if they accept peanuts
- Drop off only EPS that is clean, dry and uncontaminated with other materials.
- Contain the EPS in a bag or box for ease of handling
- Make sure the material is EPS- if in doubt call before dropping off.
- Gather large amounts of EPS from neighbors to make the trip to a drop off location worthwhile.
- Call your district representative and ask for an EPS recycling program for your area.
- Call the Peanut Hotline at 1-800-828-2214 for directions to the nearest location that accepts loosfill peanuts.
For more information about EPS recycling, go to the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers website, www.epspackaging.org.
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