How to Recycle Styrofoam Coolers

You can find Styrofoam, known also as polystyrene, found in a variety of packaging or packing materials. It's a useful packaging and packing material; however, Styrofoam is very unfriendly when it comes to recycling. According to the New York City government, "There are relatively few plants in the U.S. that will take it. This means that the material must be shipped to distant factories. The transport and processing is expensive, unsustainable, and not environmentally friendly." You can recycle your Styrofoam cooler by utilizing an online recycling search service to direct you to the proper facilities in your area.

Instructions

• 1

  Flip over the cooler and locate a triangle with the number six inside to determine if the item is Styrofoam. Keep in mind that your cooler may only have the number six, which is the official recycling numerical code for Styrofoam.

• 2

  Thoroughly wash your Styrofoam cooler and allow to air dry. You must wash out debris from your cooler. Recycling facilities will not take Styrofoam items with any type of debris; they must be clean.

• 3

  Visit the Earth911 website to find nearby facilities that take Styrofoam items. Type in Styrofoam in the first box. Input your location information in the second search field. Click search.

• 4

  Jot down a few of the results that you are given.

• 5

  Call a few of the nearby locations and ask if they will take your Styrofoam cooler. Some facilities will only accept certain types of Styrofoam items. Ask what their hours are for operation.

• 6

  Drive your Styrofoam cooler to a nearby facility of your choice for drop off during proper business hours.