You find it everywhere, so much so that you may not even realize you’re using it. As packaging for new appliances, as a wrapper for your takeout sandwich, as a container for various foods, and even in the walls of old houses. But it can also be the material used to make your disposable razor and CD cases. Polystyrene is a very common material in our daily lives, thanks to its practicality, lightness, and safety, but it’s certainly not friendly to the planet if not disposed of properly. Essentially, polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer composed of various internal elements; the main one, called styrene, is derived from petroleum.

However, its disposal often leaves room for doubt, since not all types of polystyrene are the same and not all municipalities dispose of waste in the same way. What is certain is that polystyrene, not being biodegradable, could persist in the environment for centuries. Therefore, it’s important to commit to disposing of it properly, thus reducing its (and therefore your) impact. At this point, it’s natural to wonder whether polystyrene is recyclable and where it should be disposed of in the separate waste collection once it’s no longer useful. Let’s explore this together.
Where should polystyrene be disposed of in the separate waste collection?

Styrofoam is a recyclable material, and if disposed of properly, it doesn’t pollute and, in fact, gives it a new lease of life. In any case, you need to be able to distinguish it before throwing it in the trash. You can do this by looking for the symbol PS (which stands for polystyrene) on the material, along with the number 6 inside a small triangle of arrows. When you find this symbol, it means you have recyclable polystyrene, which can therefore be used to create new objects.

Not all cities, however, require the same disposal method for polystyrene. Indeed, its waste management varies from municipality to municipality, and it’s a good idea to inquire before arbitrarily choosing a bin for it. For example, some municipalities allow all polystyrene to be disposed of in the plastic bin, while others require separation of polystyrene used for food packaging from that used for packaging, which instead goes into the unsorted waste bin.

If the polystyrene packaging material cannot be disposed of as plastic, it will need to be taken to a recycling center or, alternatively, placed in the unsorted waste bin.

Why polystyrene doesn’t always go in the plastic bin.
Polystyrene isn’t always properly separated, as it depends on the municipality you live in. In fact, in some municipalities, polystyrene for packaging or construction goes directly into the “unsorted” waste, while polystyrene used for food packaging goes in the plastic bin.