Polystyrene Recycling

Styrofoam (or polystyrene) can be recycled at the Streets Division drop-off sites.

Do not place this material into your recycling cart.

Bagging Styrofoam in a clear or white bag is not required, but helpful if you have smaller pieces. Bagging helps prevent material from blowing around when delivered to our processor. And, bagging it will help keep it contained in our drop-off sites.

The City of Madison hauls Styrofoam to Reynolds Urethane Recycling on the east side of Madison.

What Type of Polystyrene Can Be Recycled?

We will accept block polystyrene packaging material. This is the bulky polystyrene that is used around computers, electronics, and other items. We can also take clean polystyrene cups, coolers, egg cartons and food containers. We can also accept clean meat trays. Here are some examples.

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We will NOT accept packing peanuts. Most packing peanuts are not made of polystyrene so we cannot accept them at this collection.

We also cannot accept dirty material, Styrofoam insulation, or dirty meat trays. Here are some examples of the material we will not accept.





more Polystyrene recycling information

The City of Madison has been accepting polystyrene for recycling at our drop off sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd and 4602 Sycamore Av. since March 24, 2012.

The drop-off sites are only for City of Madison residents.

Donation opportunities may exist for this material, too, especially packing peanuts. Try area shipping stores, thrift stores, and the Dane County Recycling & Disposal Directory.

If you have Styrofoam to recycle and do not live in the City of Madison, contact Reynolds Urethane Recycling to ask about public drop-off options at their facility.

Questions? Contact streets@cityofmadison.com or call 608-267-2626.