WasteSpot.com
Practical recycling directory
EN
English EN Português PT

Plastic packaging

How to dispose of polystyrene packaging.

Recommended answerExpanded polystyrene foam is rarely accepted in ordinary household recycling.
Find collection placesBrowse recycling centres

Recommended route

Reuse clean protective pieces or use a specialist foam drop-off where available.

Before disposal or return

  1. Remove tape, cardboard and labels.
  2. Keep clean foam dry.

Formats can change the answer

Rigid PS food trays can have different local rules.

Do not

Do not place loose foam beads in a household recycling bin.

Reference sources

U.S. EPA — common recyclablesOpen source ↗Recycle Now — item recycling guideOpen source ↗

Checked 2026-08-16

Related objects

Continue with another item

Plastic packagingbubble wrapBubble wrap is flexible film and is often excluded from ordinary rigid-plastic recycling.Mixed-material household itemtoothbrushA toothbrush combines plastic and bristles and is usually not accepted in ordinary packaging recycling.Plastic packagingyoghurt potRigid yoghurt pots are accepted by many packaging programmes, but not all.Plastic packagingplastic takeaway containerClean rigid takeaway tubs may be accepted where pots, tubs and trays are collected.Flexible plasticplastic carrier bagPlastic carrier bags are commonly collected through retailer film programmes rather than household rigid-plastic bins.Flexible plasticcling filmCling film is flexible film and is often excluded from both household recycling and some retailer film programmes.Plastic household productplastic plant potPlant pots may be black, coloured or durable plastic and are not universally accepted with packaging.Plastic packagingdetergent bottleEmpty household detergent bottles are accepted by many bottle-recycling programmes.