Styrofoam Recycling Program
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam is a lightweight, plastic material commonly known as Styrofoam, used to make food containers, meat trays, take-out containers, cups and plates. Styrofoam is also widely used as packaging to protect a variety of items such as appliances, household electronics, and furniture.
Since 2002, the City of Markham has been accepting clean, loose Styrofoam cushion packaging and food containers at our recycling depots, giving residents the opportunity to keep this material out of landfill and ensure it is properly recycled into new products.
Styrofoam Packaging Ban
Styrofoam is very dangerous to wildlife, birds and humans and creates harmful pollution. In 2020, Markham banned Styrofoam packaging at the curb to help further keep it out of landfill, streets and our waterways. The curbside collection ban does not include Styrofoam food containers; those soiled items can still go in clear bag garbage. Do not put in the blue box or green bin.
Drop off at any Markham Recycling Depot
Accepted: Styrofoam cushion packaging and Styrofoam food containers
- Material must be clean and loose;
- Remove any labels, tape and cardboard before dropping off;
- Food containers must be free of any food and liquids.
To find a Depot location near you, visit Markham Recyling Depots
Some forms of Styrofoam that are not recyclable, place in your clear bag garbage:
- Unwashed Styrofoam food containers
- Packing peanuts
- Flexible packing sheets, foam wrap
- Craft/florist foam
- Pool noodles
Not sure if your item is recycable? Use the online search tool at What Goes Where?
TAKING THE LEAD - Markham Targets Single-Use Plastics
Markham's Diversion Strategy: 2020-2023 will implement strategies and programs designed to work towards a target of 85% municipal waste diversion.
Single-use items are often made of hard-to-recycle plastics, typically used once and thrown away; they have limited reuse or compost options. Additionally, many of them end up as litter on our roads, parks, trails and creeks.
Most common single-use items include coffee pods, Styrofoam packaging/takeout containers, takeout cups and lids, plastic bags, plastic cutlery, plastic straws and stir sticks.
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