Is Styrofoam Recyclable in Canada? Where to Recycle EPS
The short answer: technically yes — but most Canadian curbside programmes will not take it. Here is everything you need to know about styrofoam (EPS) recycling: which cities accept it, how to prepare it, and what alternatives exist.
What Is Styrofoam (EPS)?
“Styrofoam” is a Dow Chemical brand name for rigid blue insulation. What most people call styrofoam — white foam cups, takeout containers, packaging blocks, and meat trays — is actually expanded polystyrene (EPS), designated by Resin Identification Code #6.
EPS is made by expanding polystyrene beads with steam. The result is 95-98% air — which explains why it is so light, so bulky, and so expensive to transport for recycling.
Electronics, appliance, and furniture packaging. Most commonly accepted.
Cups, clamshells, plates. Almost never accepted — food contamination.
Contaminated foam trays. Not accepted for recycling.
Accepted at shipping stores for reuse, not recycling.
Different polymer composition. Not recyclable.
Why Most Curbside Programmes Reject Styrofoam
- Economics. EPS is 95% air. Transporting it costs more than the recovered material is worth. Without densification (compressing 50:1 to 90:1), recycling makes no financial sense.
- Contamination. Food-grade EPS (cups, containers) is almost always contaminated with grease and residue.
- Infrastructure. Very few Canadian MRFs have the specialized densifier equipment needed to process EPS.
- Market demand. Limited applications for recycled EPS: picture frames, crown moulding, new packaging.
Cities That Accept Styrofoam for Recycling
In blocks are required — no food containers, no coloured foam, no packing peanuts.
Zero Waste Centre and South Transfer Station. Also Recycle BC and London Drugs partners.
All 7 Drop-Off Depots accept clean rigid EPS packaging blocks (no food containers).
East Calgary, Shepard, and Spyhill landfills accept clean EPS packaging.
All 4 Eco Stations accept clean rigid packaging blocks.
Accepts EPS curbside — one of the few major Canadian cities. Clean #6 containers and packaging.
Trail Waste Facility accepts clean EPS. Special collection events throughout the year.
HHW Depot in Bayer's Lake accepts clean EPS packaging.
Community Recycling Centre on Battleford Road.
Hartland Recycling Facility and Recycle BC depots.
Limited acceptance at 4R Depots for rigid packaging blocks.
City landfill recycling area accepts EPS.
Landfill HHW facility accepts EPS.
Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility.
Not listed? Contact your local waste authority — some run seasonal EPS events. Search the RecyclingCentres.ca directory for verified drop-off locations in your city.
How to Prepare Styrofoam for Recycling
- Separate food from packaging foam. Only clean rigid packaging blocks. Cups, plates, and meat trays are not accepted.
- Remove all tape, labels, and stickers. Adhesive contaminates the stream and damages equipment.
- Ensure foam is clean and dry. Any moisture or food residue makes EPS unrecyclable.
- Bag it securely. Most depots require clear plastic bags to prevent pieces from blowing away.
- Do not mix coloured or treated foam. White EPS only. Coloured foam is a different polymer.
- Packing peanuts: reuse, do not recycle. Donate to UPS Stores for reuse in outgoing shipments.
Styrofoam Recycling by Province
British Columbia
Best coverage in Canada. Recycle BC depots, London Drugs stores, Return-It locations. White rigid packaging accepted province-wide.
Ontario
Municipality-by-municipality. Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Markham, London, Guelph offer depots. Provincial Blue Box expansion may bring province-wide EPS by 2027.
Quebec
Accepted curbside in most municipalities including Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke. Look for #6 symbol.
Alberta
Limited. Calgary and Edmonton only. Most other communities send EPS to landfill.
Manitoba
Minimal. Winnipeg 4R Depots only. Brandon and rural communities do not recycle EPS.
Saskatchewan
Limited. Saskatoon and Regina landfills only. SARCAN does not accept EPS.
Nova Scotia
Halifax HHW Depot only. Most other Nova Scotia communities do not.
New Brunswick
No public EPS recycling facilities in Moncton, Fredericton, or Saint John.
Prince Edward Island
No public EPS recycling available.
Newfoundland & Labrador
St. John's only at Robin Hood Bay.
Yukon
No EPS recycling available.
Northwest Territories
No EPS recycling available.
Nunavut
No EPS recycling available.
Mail-Back & Alternative Recycling
Alternatives to Styrofoam
- Food service: Choose paper-based or compostable takeout. Bring your own reusable cup and container.
- Shipping: Use crumpled kraft paper, corrugated inserts, or moulded pulp instead of EPS blocks.
- Packing peanuts: Biodegradable starch-based peanuts dissolve in water and compost.
- Insulation: Mineral wool, cellulose, and cotton batts are recyclable alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is styrofoam recyclable?
Technically yes — expanded polystyrene (EPS) is recyclable, but most Canadian curbside programmes reject it. EPS is 95% air, expensive to transport, easily contaminated, and requires specialized densification equipment. Clean rigid white EPS packaging blocks can be recycled at select depots in major cities. Food-grade EPS (cups, takeout containers, meat trays) is almost never recyclable.
Why is styrofoam not accepted curbside?
Most MRFs lack EPS processing equipment. It is too lightweight to sort, takes enormous space during transport, and food-contaminated foam fouls equipment. Even cities that accept EPS curbside (like Montreal) see significant amounts landfilled due to contamination.
Where can I recycle styrofoam near me?
In Canada: municipal drop-off depots (Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax), Recycle BC partner locations, London Drugs stores in western Canada, and select private recyclers. Packing peanuts can be dropped at UPS Stores for reuse.
Can styrofoam go in the garbage?
Yes, if no recycling option exists. EPS is chemically inert and does not leach toxins, but it does not biodegrade — it can persist for centuries and break into microplastics that pollute waterways. Reducing or recycling EPS is always the better choice.
Does styrofoam break down in the environment?
No. EPS photodegrades over decades into smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastic particles that persist in soil and water, are ingested by wildlife, and enter the food chain. EPS is a major component of marine plastic pollution.
Find Recycling Near You
With 4,496 verified recycling locations in our directory, RecyclingCentres.ca can help you find a drop-off that accepts styrofoam — or any other material. Search by city or material:
Search Recycling Centres →