Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam packaging is an excellent material for recycling.  Post-consumer EPS is currently being recycled at a rate of approximately 10-12% each year.  In 1991, AFPR assisted in developing an infrastructure to help facilitate the collection and recycling of EPS packaging.  This has been achieved through the participation and commitment of AFPR members, the North American shape molders who produce expanded polystyrene transport packaging.

Working primarily with their customers and other commercial waste generators in their region, AFPR members are able to sustain economically viable recycling processes through the development of consistent and reliable sources of post=consumer and post-industrial EPS waste.  These efforts are typically focused on collection streams from within a 100-200 mile radius.  Although there are numerous end-use markets, the majority of EPS collected for recycling is used in making new EPS foam packaging or repelletized and then remanufactured into rigid, durable products such as plastic lumber and trim.

Due to challenging transportation logistics and high contamination rates there are a limited number of community based collection sites.  In response, AFPR has created a unique mail-back option that allows virtually anyone access to EPS recycling when dealing with smaller quantities of foam packaging.  Since expanded polystyrene is extremely light weight - made up of 98% air - it can be economically shipped to a centralized location.  Considering that the average car gets approximately 30 miles per gallon (mpg) at $2.70 to $3.75 per gallon, the postage cost to return EPS for recycling can be viewed as an economical choice depending on the distance covered to reach the closest community drop-off location if they were to accept EPS.

EPS Recycling Locations

The majority of EPS recycling locations are intended to serve as outlets for expanded polystyrene packaging ONLY.  Each EPS collection site has distinct criteria regarding the types of material they can accept.  To make sure you have a successful EPS recycling experience, we recommend the following:

1. Once you have identified the closest collection site, call them to verify drop-off times and check to see what types of polystyrene material they accept.
2. Make sure your EPS is clean and free of any plastic film, loose parts or glued-on cardboard.
3. Check to see if they accept other recyclables to streamline your recycling efforts.

If there is no EPS recycling in your community please send it via U.S. Postal Service or other carrier to the address below.  Average shipping fees range from $1.50-$9.00 based on the total packaging weight.   To maximize your EOS recycling efforts via the mail-back option we recommend the following:

1. Make sure the EPS is clean and free of any plastic film, loose parts or glued-on cardboard.
2. To increase the amount of EPS in each shipping container, it can be easily broken or cut into smaller pieces so that more foam can fit in individual boxes.  AFPR will also recycle the corrugated boxes used to ship the EPS.
3. When shipping EPS biomedical coolers simply tape the top and bottom pieces together with shipping tape and apply the label and postage directly to the EPS.  An outer, corrugated box is not necessary.
4. AFPR does not accept extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam including meat trays, cups, egg cartons or other disposable foodservice items for recycling.
5. Prepare shipping label and affix postage for delivery to:
   
   Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers
   1298 Cronson Boulevard, Suite 201
   Crofton, MD  21114  USA
    
6. To facilitate shipping from home, the United States Postal Service (USPS) provides numerous options for printing labels and /or postage using online resources.  This convenience also allows you to have the shipment picked up by our local USPS carrier as outbound mail.

EPS can be identified by the number 6 plastic resin identification code.  Many types of foam plastic are not clearly marked; if you have questions please contact AFPR at 410.451.8340 for clarification.  For information on #6 Arcel foam recycling please call AFPR at 410-451-8340. To obtain information about other recycling opportunities, including foodservice, rigid durable goods and other plastics, please check the U.S. & Canadian Recycled Plastic Markets Database.  For loose fill "peanut" recycling please visit the Plastic Loose Fill Council or call the Peanut Hotline at 800.828.2214.

The information contained herein is subject to change and is provided without any express or implied warranty as to its truthfulness or accuracy. The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers does not endorse the products or processes of any individual manufacturer or recycler.