Can You Recycle Packing Peanuts?
No
Not curbside — reuse or return to shipping stores
Why
Foam peanuts are polystyrene, too light and messy for any curbside system. Starch-based peanuts dissolve in water and can go down the sink or in compost.
How to dispose of packing peanuts
- Test one under water: if it dissolves, it is starch — compost or dissolve the batch
- Foam peanuts: many shipping stores accept clean ones for reuse
- Otherwise bag foam peanuts and trash them
Greener option
Save a bag for your own shipping needs — they store light and flat-ish.
♻️ 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.