Takeout Containers (Foam) Alternative ways to recycle Garbage Bin The Problem with Polystyrene and Other Non-Recyclable Plastics Polystyrene and other non-recyclable plastics are a serious and readily preventable source of marine debris pollution. Many of these products are both lightweight and aerodynamic, so they are easily blown into gutters and storm drains even when “properly” disposed of. They are also very brittle, so when littered they quickly break into smaller and smaller pieces making cleanup impossible. Once broken down in fresh water and marine environments, many of these products can kill fish and other wildlife because they resemble food and cause choking or starvation if ingested. For the latest information: http://www.cawrecycles.org/recycling-news/cb4z8gxxntlxwdahly9ybh6mzg5hb7 Foam Goes in the Garbage Hard plastic #6 is often accepted at recycling facilities, but foam plastic #6 is not. Throw these containers away, even if they are marked as plastic #6. Alternative Ways to Recycle Recycle With Home for Foam Visit Home for Foam to see if there is a foam recycler in your area. These recyclers will accept many foam products, including beverage and food containers. Learn more about Home for Foam’s recycling program. Ways to Reduce Bring Your Own To-Go Container When dining out, bring a reusable to-go container so that you can bring leftovers home sustainably. Reusable Packaging For Businesses Check out Upstream’s catalog of reusable packaging and unpackaging innovators that provide ways for consumers to obtain products, mostly food and beverages, in returnable, reusable, or refillable packaging – or they deliver products to consumers unpackaged altogether. Did You Know? The Preferred Takeout Container Out of all the types of takeout containers — aluminum, cardboard, wax-lined paperboard, plastic and foam — aluminum is the easiest for recycling plants to recycle, while foam is the most difficult.