🗑️ LandfillNo — Styrofoam is not recyclable in your curbside bin.
Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene, plastic #6) is not accepted in Los Angeles County curbside recycling. It goes in the black landfill cart — foam breaks apart and contaminates the recycling stream, and the sorting machines can't capture it.
Put clean foam cups, plates, takeout clamshells, and packing foam in the black trash cart. For large amounts of clean block packing foam, a few specialty drop-off and mail-back programs exist (search "polystyrene recycling drop-off" + your city) — but there is no curbside option.
Packing peanuts
Loose packing peanuts are also trash curbside, but many shipping/mailbox stores accept them for reuse — worth a call before you toss a big bag.
Styrofoam — quick FAQ
Is it okay to put Styrofoam in the recycle bin?
No. Styrofoam (foam #6) is not accepted in LA County curbside recycling and contaminates the load — it belongs in the black trash cart.
Can I put Styrofoam in general waste?
Yes — clean Styrofoam goes in the black landfill/trash cart. Break down large pieces so they fit.
Does Home Depot take Styrofoam for recycling?
Home Depot does not have a standard Styrofoam take-back. A small number of specialty facilities accept clean block foam for drop-off or mail-back; check locally.
What are things that cannot be recycled curbside?
Styrofoam, plastic bags and film, disposable coffee cups, black plastic, and anything smaller than ~4 inches are the common ones that go to trash, not recycling.
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