Can You Recycle Egg Cartons?
It depends
Depends on the material — paper, foam, or plastic
Why
Paper pulp cartons recycle with cardboard. Foam cartons are polystyrene and almost never recyclable. Clear plastic cartons are #1 PET and usually fine.
How to dispose of egg cartons
- Paper/pulp cartons: recycle or compost
- Clear plastic cartons: rinse and recycle
- Foam cartons: trash (unless you have a foam drop-off)
- Or reuse them — farm stands and neighbors with chickens often want them
Greener option
Paper cartons are perfect seed-starting trays.
♻️ Recycling rules vary by city and hauler — when in doubt, check your local program. You can look up your area on our trash & recycling schedules page.