Beyond bottles, film and containers, many communities are recycling other plastics, such as protective packaging, bulky rigids, foodservice packaging, pallets and drums.
Bulky rigids include:
- Carts
- Crates
- Buckets
- Toys
- Lawn furniture
- Laundry baskets
Foodservice packaging includes Polystyrene cups, clamshells and other containers.
Polystyrene (#6) Plastic Foam
Technology exists to recycle expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). In fact, 22% of California households are recycling EPS foodservice cups, plates, bowls, clamshells and other containers at curbside (that’s more than eight million people).
Resources
- Visit our sister site, Plastic Food Service Facts, for comprehensive information on Polystyrene packaging, recycling and life cycle report.
- Foodservice Packaging Institute
- PS: Think Recycling, How to Implement and Administer a Successful Polystyrene Recycling Program (EPS Industry Alliance)
- Recycling Polystyrene and Expanded Polystyrene: An Informative Video from the Waste Sleuth (Moore Recycling Associates and Dart Container)
Learn more about the circular economy for plastics