Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam)

Unfortunately, expanded polystyrene (“EPS”) is a plastic material not recyclable with residential recyclables picked up at the curb in Franklin County. As a result, these items should NOT be put into your homes recycling cart but should go to a special drop-off location to be recycled. The list of specialty recyclers is below. If you aren’t willing to drive it to a facility for recycling, please dispose of it in your regular trash. Common expanded polystyrene items include take-out food containers, packing materials from shipping boxes, and packing peanuts.

Why can’t this be RECYCLED curbside?

While the technology exists to recycle EPS or Styrofoam, limited markets for the material and challenges with transportation costs have prevented viable recycling options for residents. (Since the material is so lightweight, transportation costs can be prohibitively high.)

You may have noticed that more companies are moving away from polystyrene packing materials to more sustainable options due to these issues.

pro TIPS

The SWACO Recycling Convenience Center does accept some expanded polystyrene or Styrofoam packaging that is clean and has the tape and stickers removed. Food containers and packing peanuts ARE NOT ACCEPTED. For more information on accepted items, hours of operation and location, click here.

A specialized recycling program for those harder-to-recycle plastics is now available to Franklin County residents who have access to curbside recycling or frequent a SWACO recycling drop-off location. Through a new partnership with Hefty and Rumpke, some plastics such as chip bags, granola bar wrappers, plastic film, plastic cutlery, and Styrofoam are now accepted in the Hefty ReNew bag. For a full list of the items that can be recycled in the ReNew program and a list of retailers who sell the Hefty ReNew Bags, click here.

Find Recycling Locations Near You