Expanded polystyrene, known as Styrofoam, poses significant recycling hurdles despite being 98% air and technically recyclable. Americans discard about 1,500 tons daily into landfills, with less than 1% recycled, prompting state bans and innovative technologies. As of 2025, several U.S. states have prohibited EPS products amid growing environmental concerns.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly branded as Styrofoam and marked with recycling code #6 PS, is ubiquitous in packaging, insulation, and protective gear. However, its lightweight nature—98% air—makes it bulky in landfills, where it accounts for just 0.01% of municipal solid waste by weight but occupies significant volume without biodegrading. Daily, Americans dump approximately 1,500 tons into landfills, recycling less than 1% due to limited infrastructure and processing challenges. EPS cannot be "un-expanded," so even communities accepting #6 plastic often exclude the foamed version.
This issue has led to legislative action. As of 2025, Oregon, California, Delaware, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Washington have banned various EPS products, including food service containers and packing peanuts, citing environmental persistence and microplastic generation. California's SB54 mandates that all plastic food packaging be recyclable, with manufacturers required to use 25% recycled content.
Recycling options exist but vary by form. Curbside programs rarely accept EPS, but drop-off sites can be found via Earth911's Recycling Search or the EPS Industry Alliance directory, which lists processors for clean, uncontaminated material—excluding food or medical containers. Packing peanuts are reusable at shipping stores like The UPS Store; for larger volumes, businesses can arrange pick-ups, storing EPS in weather-protected bins.
Innovations are emerging to improve accessibility. Foam Cycle's self-service systems, installable at transfer stations, process EPS on-site and break even in four to five years, with densified resin selling for $300 to $500 per ton. Mobile units like the Styro-Constrictor and Styro-Portapactor reduce volume by 90%, avoiding expensive facilities. TerraCycle offers mail-back Zero Waste Boxes for EPS food packaging. For ongoing use, alternatives include bamboo, cornstarch, or mushroom-based materials, while recycled-content EPS, like green packing peanuts, provides a sustainable option.
These developments reflect a push toward better waste management, though local verification remains essential for effective disposal.