A pound of polystyrene recycled is a pound of new polystyrene that doesn't have to be created. Currently in the USA, expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam packaging is being recycled at a rate of approximately 10-12% each year. Here are a few tips as to what you can do with polystyrene to keep it out of the waste stream for as long as possible.

Keep It As Packing

How many times have you needed to pack something for shipping and found you had nothing on hand? Break down large lumps of Styrofoam into smaller chunks and keep a bag of it handy.

Donate to Craft Shops

Craft shops are often a good place to take Styrofoam as their customers use it in their craft projects.

Find a Recycling Center

There's a search function at the top of the Earth911 web site where you can enter the term "polystyrene" and then in the box on the right, enter your location. The search results will provide listings of companies and organizations in your local area that will take polystyrene. Note: Be sure to enter "polystyrene" rather than "Styrofoam" as the latter, being just a brand name, is unlikely to return any results.

Use In Planters

You can use some in potted plants to assist with drainage and as a filler.

Use the Mail-Back Initiative

The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers offers a mail-back program to USA residents whereby you send the polystyrene via the US mail service. There's a cost involved (postage), yet this may prove more economical to you than carting it somewhere by car. Check out their list of national mail-back recycling locations to find one nearest you or in your region.

Sell It!

If polystyrene is something of which you get a lot, you might be able to make a few bucks from it. The Recycled Plastic Markets Database allows you to search for buyers of a wide variety of plastics.