Can you recycle packing peanuts?

Foam packing peanuts are not recyclable in your curbside bin (they're polystyrene #6, like Styrofoam, and too light for sorting). The good news: shipping and mailbox stores often take them back for reuse, which is the best option. Starch-based peanuts are a different story — see below.

📷 Scan an item with your phone

Give them back for reuse

Many pack-and-ship stores (UPS Store, FedEx Office, local mailbox shops) accept clean foam peanuts to reuse in outgoing shipments. Call first — it beats trashing them, and it's free.

Starch / "dissolvable" peanuts

Some peanuts are made of cornstarch, not foam — they dissolve in water. To test, run one under the tap: if it gets sticky and melts away, it's starch and you can dissolve it in the sink or add it to a compost pile. Foam peanuts don't dissolve.

If you must toss them

Foam peanuts that can't be reused go in the black trash cart. Bag them so they don't blow away.

Packing Peanuts — quick FAQ

Are packing peanuts recyclable?

Foam packing peanuts aren't curbside-recyclable (they're #6 polystyrene). Take them to a shipping/mailbox store that reuses them, or put them in the trash. Starch-based peanuts dissolve in water.

Where can I get rid of packing peanuts?

Shipping and mailbox stores often accept clean foam peanuts for reuse — that's the best option. Call ahead to confirm.

How do I tell foam from starch peanuts?

Run one under water — starch peanuts get sticky and dissolve; foam ones don't. Starch peanuts can be dissolved in the sink or composted.

Related

Can you recycle styrofoamCan you recycle bubble wrapWhat can I recycle?

Not sure about something else? Point your camera at it and RecycleLens tells you the right bin.