How to Recycle Polystyrene
From mechanical compaction to cutting-edge chemical processes, discover every method available for recycling polystyrene and find your nearest drop-off location.
From Foam Cup to New Product
4 steps. Zero landfill waste. Here is exactly what happens when you recycle your foam.
Collection
Drop it off, don't trash it
Foam cups and EPS packaging are brought to 1,000+ drop-off sites across the US. Clean it, bag it, drop it.
Densification
Crush it down 50:1
A densifier machine heats and compresses the foam down to 1/50th its size, turning it into dense plastic logs.
Pelletizing
Melt and reform
The dense logs feed into an extruder, are melted down, and reformed into uniform polystyrene pellets ready for manufacturing.
Rebirth
New life from old foam
PS pellets are sold to manufacturers who turn them into picture frames, crown molding, coat hangers, and more.
Recycling Methods
Polystyrene can be recycled through both mechanical and chemical processes. Each method has distinct advantages depending on the material condition and desired output.
Compaction & Densification
Polystyrene is compressed using hydraulic or screw-type compactors to reduce volume by up to 50:1, creating dense logs or blocks for efficient transport and reprocessing.
Process Steps
- 1Collection and sorting of clean EPS
- 2Feeding into compactor or densifier machine
- 3Compression at high pressure (no heat) or thermal densification
- 4Output: dense blocks or logs at 1/50th original volume
- 5Transport to reprocessing facility
- 6Pelletizing for manufacturing new products
Advantages
- Reduces volume dramatically (50:1 ratio)
- Relatively low energy consumption
- Simple technology, easy to operate
- Densified material has market value
- Can be done on-site at large facilities
Challenges
- Requires clean, uncontaminated feedstock
- Initial equipment investment ($15K-$50K)
- Cannot handle food-contaminated material
- Limited to EPS foam types
- Densified material still needs further processing
Shredding & Extrusion
Polystyrene is shredded into small pieces, melted, and extruded into pellets that can be used as raw material for new products like picture frames, crown molding, and park benches.
Process Steps
- 1Collection and contaminant removal
- 2Shredding into small flakes
- 3Washing and drying of shredded material
- 4Melting in extruder at 200-230°C
- 5Filtering out remaining impurities
- 6Pelletizing into uniform granules
- 7Quality testing for reuse applications
Advantages
- Produces high-quality recycled pellets
- Pellets can replace virgin PS in many products
- Well-established industrial process
- Can process large volumes continuously
- Multiple end-use applications
Challenges
- High energy input for melting
- Some material degradation each cycle
- Cannot produce food-grade output (until recently)
- Requires pre-sorting and cleaning
- Equipment maintenance costs
Solvent-Based Recycling
Uses limonene (derived from orange peels) or other solvents to dissolve polystyrene, separating it from contaminants, then recovering clean polystyrene through evaporation.
Process Steps
- 1Dissolving PS waste in limonene solvent
- 2Contaminants settle out or are filtered
- 3Solvent evaporation recovers pure polystyrene
- 4Solvent is recaptured and reused (95%+ recovery)
- 5Clean PS is dried and pelletized
- 6Quality testing for purity
Advantages
- Can handle contaminated material
- Produces very pure polystyrene
- Solvent is natural and non-toxic (limonene)
- High solvent recovery rate (95%+)
- Good for mixed PS waste streams
Challenges
- Relatively new technology at scale
- Solvent costs and supply considerations
- Slower processing speed than extrusion
- Limited commercial operations currently
- Requires specialized equipment
Your Step-by-Step Recycling Guide
Follow these five steps to properly recycle your polystyrene items, from identification to drop-off.
Identify
Determine what type of polystyrene you have
Start by locating the recycling symbol on your polystyrene item. Look for the number 6 inside the triangular recycling arrows, usually stamped on the bottom of containers. This identifies the item as polystyrene (PS). Next, determine whether it is Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) -- the white, beaded foam used in cups and packaging -- or solid polystyrene, which is rigid and clear or colored. Packing peanuts, foam trays, and foam cups are EPS. Yogurt containers and disposable cutlery are typically solid PS.
Quick Tips
- Look for the #6 resin code on the bottom of containers
- EPS foam is white and has a beaded or granular texture
- Solid polystyrene is rigid, often clear or colored
- Packing peanuts are almost always EPS and recyclable
- Remove any labels or tape if possible before recycling
Polystyrene Policies by State
Explore the current regulatory landscape across all 50 states. Filter by state name or policy type.
Maine
MEBanned EPS food containers statewide, with exemptions for raw meat and seafood trays.
Since 2021
Maryland
MDFirst state to enact a statewide ban on EPS food service products, effective October 2020.
Since 2020
Vermont
VTComprehensive ban on single-use EPS food containers as part of broader single-use plastics legislation.
Since 2021
New York
NYBanned EPS foam containers and loose-fill packaging peanuts statewide.
Since 2022
New Jersey
NJBroad single-use plastics law including EPS food container ban alongside plastic bag restrictions.
Since 2022
Colorado
COPhased ban on polystyrene food containers, with full implementation by 2024 for all food service.
Since 2024
Washington
WAExpanded existing restrictions to include all EPS food service ware and coolers by 2025.
Since 2025
Oregon
ORBanned EPS food containers for restaurants and food vendors, with allowances for wholesale packaging.
Since 2020
Rhode Island
RIBanned single-use EPS food containers statewide as part of a comprehensive plastics reduction effort.
Since 2024
Hawaii
HIDe facto ban through county-level ordinances covering all major islands and food service operations.
Since 2022
Virginia
VABanned polystyrene food containers statewide, with the ban taking effect July 2023.
Since 2021
Connecticut
CTBanned EPS food service containers as part of broader packaging reduction legislation.
Since 2024
California
CAOver 130 cities have local EPS ordinances. Statewide polystyrene reduction targets established under SB 54, requiring significant source reduction of single-use packaging by 2032.
Since 2023
Delaware
DERestricted EPS food containers in food service establishments, with a phase-in period granting small businesses additional time to transition to alternative materials.
Since 2022
Massachusetts
MAOver 100 municipalities have enacted local EPS food container bans. No statewide ban exists yet, but multiple bills have been introduced in the state legislature seeking comprehensive polystyrene restrictions.
Minnesota
MNMinneapolis and St. Paul have enacted bans on polystyrene food containers. Statewide legislation has been proposed multiple times but has not yet passed, with ongoing debate between environmental groups and industry advocates.
Illinois
ILChicago has banned EPS food containers within city limits. No statewide ban exists, but industry-supported recycling programs are active in several metropolitan areas, and legislative discussions continue.
Pennsylvania
PAPhiladelphia has enacted local EPS restrictions on food service containers. Statewide preemption debates are ongoing, with state legislators divided on whether municipalities should have authority to enact their own bans.
Michigan
MISeveral municipalities have adopted local EPS restrictions. Statewide recycling incentive programs are being explored, with industry groups promoting expanded drop-off infrastructure as an alternative to bans.
Florida
FLSome local jurisdictions have attempted EPS restrictions, but a state preemption law limits the ability of municipalities to enact their own bans on polystyrene products. Legislative efforts to repeal preemption have been introduced.
Alabama
ALNo statewide ban or restrictions on polystyrene. Alabama relies on voluntary recycling efforts and industry-led collection programs. Some communities participate in regional EPS drop-off events organized by packaging manufacturers.
Alaska
AKNo ban or restrictions in place. Alaska's remote geography and small population centers make EPS recycling infrastructure challenging. The state focuses on general waste reduction initiatives rather than material-specific bans.
Arizona
AZNo statewide ban or restrictions. Arizona has a market-driven approach to EPS management, with several private recycling facilities accepting clean EPS in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Industry groups have promoted voluntary collection programs.
Arkansas
ARNo ban or significant restrictions on polystyrene. Arkansas hosts some EPS manufacturing operations and favors industry self-regulation. Voluntary recycling programs exist on a limited basis in larger cities like Little Rock.
Georgia
GANo statewide ban on polystyrene. Georgia has a growing number of private EPS recycling drop-off locations, particularly in the Atlanta metro area. The state supports industry-led recycling initiatives rather than regulatory approaches.
Idaho
IDNo ban or restrictions in place. Idaho takes a market-driven approach to polystyrene waste management. Limited recycling infrastructure exists, though some private haulers accept clean EPS foam in the Boise area.
Indiana
INNo statewide ban or restrictions. Indiana has several EPS recycling facilities operating in the Indianapolis region. The state favors voluntary industry programs and has not pursued polystyrene-specific legislation.
Iowa
IANo ban or restrictions on polystyrene products. Iowa's approach emphasizes general recycling education and voluntary participation. Some university campuses have independently moved away from EPS food service containers.
Kansas
KSNo statewide ban or restrictions. Kansas relies on market-based solutions for EPS waste management. A small number of recycling facilities accept clean expanded polystyrene, mainly in the Kansas City and Wichita areas.
Kentucky
KYNo ban or restrictions in place. Kentucky has minimal EPS-specific recycling infrastructure but participates in broader regional recycling programs. The state has not considered polystyrene-specific legislation to date.
Louisiana
LANo statewide ban or restrictions on polystyrene. Louisiana's petrochemical industry presence influences the policy landscape, favoring recycling and reuse initiatives over material bans. Some voluntary collection events occur in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Mississippi
MSNo ban or restrictions in place. Mississippi has limited EPS recycling infrastructure and no pending legislation targeting polystyrene. The state focuses on general litter reduction and waste management improvements.
Missouri
MONo statewide ban or restrictions. Missouri has a handful of private EPS recycling operations, primarily in the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas. Industry groups have promoted voluntary drop-off programs rather than regulatory measures.
Montana
MTNo ban or restrictions on polystyrene. Montana's rural character and dispersed population make centralized recycling infrastructure difficult. The state emphasizes general waste reduction and relies on voluntary recycling participation.
Nebraska
NENo statewide ban or restrictions in place. Nebraska takes a voluntary approach to EPS management, with some recycling options available through private haulers in Omaha and Lincoln. No polystyrene-specific legislation has been proposed.
Nevada
NVNo ban or restrictions on polystyrene products. Nevada's hospitality industry is a significant EPS consumer, and the state has favored industry-led recycling solutions. Some Las Vegas resorts have voluntarily transitioned away from EPS food containers.
New Hampshire
NHNo statewide ban or restrictions. New Hampshire has a tradition of limited government regulation and relies on voluntary recycling programs. Some communities have independently explored local EPS reduction initiatives.
New Mexico
NMNo ban or restrictions in place. New Mexico has limited EPS recycling infrastructure, though Albuquerque has some private drop-off options. The state has focused on broader solid waste management improvements rather than material-specific bans.
North Carolina
NCNo statewide ban on polystyrene. North Carolina has several industry-supported EPS recycling drop-off locations in the Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham areas. The EPS Industry Alliance has been active in expanding collection infrastructure.
North Dakota
NDNo ban or restrictions in place. North Dakota has minimal EPS-specific recycling programs due to its small population and rural geography. The state has not pursued polystyrene-specific legislation.
Ohio
OHNo ban or restrictions in place. Ohio relies on voluntary industry recycling programs, and the EPS Industry Alliance has been expanding drop-off locations throughout the state, particularly in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
Oklahoma
OKNo statewide ban or restrictions on polystyrene. Oklahoma favors a market-driven approach and has not considered material-specific bans. Limited private recycling options exist in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas.
South Carolina
SCNo ban or restrictions in place. South Carolina has some industry-sponsored EPS collection events, particularly in coastal communities concerned about marine debris. The state has not pursued statewide polystyrene legislation.
South Dakota
SDNo ban or restrictions on polystyrene. South Dakota has very limited EPS recycling infrastructure and no pending legislation. The state takes a general approach to waste management without material-specific regulations.
Tennessee
TNNo statewide ban or restrictions. Tennessee has a few private EPS recycling facilities, primarily in the Nashville and Memphis areas. The state supports voluntary recycling initiatives and industry-led collection programs.
Texas
TXNo statewide ban or restrictions. Texas has a market-driven approach with several EPS recycling facilities operating in the Houston and Dallas areas. Industry-supported drop-off programs are expanding, and the state's large manufacturing base favors recycling over bans.
Utah
UTNo ban or restrictions in place. Utah has limited EPS recycling options, though some private facilities in Salt Lake City accept clean polystyrene foam. The state has not pursued material-specific legislation.
West Virginia
WVNo ban or restrictions on polystyrene. West Virginia has minimal EPS recycling infrastructure and no legislative proposals targeting polystyrene. The state focuses on broader waste management and landfill diversion goals.
Wisconsin
WINo statewide ban or restrictions. Wisconsin has some private EPS recycling operations in the Milwaukee and Madison areas. Industry groups have promoted voluntary collection programs and recycling education campaigns throughout the state.
Wyoming
WYNo ban or restrictions in place. Wyoming's small population and rural character result in very limited EPS recycling infrastructure. The state has not pursued polystyrene-specific regulations and relies on general waste management practices.