"The #6 symbol on the foam container only tells you what kind of plastic it is, not if it can be recycled. If you put it in the bin just because you see a number and the recycling arrows, it can actually contaminate your other recyclables, like paper, cardboard, and aluminum, and might cause the whole batch to be rejected."
"The PSRA-RRS Polystyrene End Markets Study, published in February 2026, is the most detailed inventory of US and Canadian polystyrene recycling infrastructure to date. It identified 81 companies handling recovered EPS and XPS foam, with 119 facilities spread across 30 US states and four Canadian provinces."
Polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, is difficult to recycle due to varying types and recycling methods. The #6 symbol indicates the type of plastic but does not guarantee recyclability. Contaminating other recyclables can lead to batch rejection. The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance reports that about 105 million Americans have access to some polystyrene recycling services. However, a detailed study reveals that only 81 companies handle recovered foam across the US and Canada, with many facilities focused on manufacturing new products from recycled materials.
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