How to Recycle Packing Peanuts

Made of polystyrene, packing peanuts can take hundreds of years to decompose. They can be a problem for any recipient of a package containing them because the peanuts are lightweight so they easily scatter and blow away. Unless they have been treated against static electricity (the pink ones), they will cling to clothes and other fabrics. Reusing or returning packing peanuts will help you avoid adding them to landfills or having them accumulate around your home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Returning Packing Peanuts

If you receive a package with packing peanuts, inquire as to whether the company will take them back. They are likely to agree as they will be able to reuse them for another customer, saving the company money.
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Find a drop-off center. Though you likely cannot recycle packing peanuts in your bins at home or at the local drop-off center, there are places you can drop them off for recycle.
- The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers has a list of places to drop-off packing peanuts by state (U.S. only) on the AFPR website
- The Plastic Loose Fill Council also lists drop-off locations by state (U.S. only).
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Though you may have to pay for shipping, many companies, such as the EPS Industrial Alliance, will take your packing peanuts for free.^{[1]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Donating Packing Peanuts

If the company who sent them to you won’t take them back, inquire at businesses that do lots of shipping if they will take your packing peanuts. Moving companies might also agree to take them. UPS stores in many areas will gladly take these peanuts off your hands.^{[2]XResearch source}
Ask your friends and family if they have any use for packing peanuts. If anyone you know is moving or ships a lot of items, they may need these peanuts for their own uses.
Sites like Craigslist are great for getting rid of things you don’t need. Post an ad saying you have free packing peanuts for whoever will come pick them up. Just be wary of scams; you may wish to meet the person who’d like to get the packing peanuts at a location other than your home.
Schools and centers are often grateful to receive free items. Ask a local school or community center if they could use packing peanuts for craft projects or even for shipping.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Reusing Packing Peanuts

You may one day have a use for these packing peanuts, so store them until you do. They are lightweight and like to blow around, creating a mess, so try storing them in a box, garbage bag, or even an old pair of pantyhose to keep them contained.
They will allow your plant to drain properly and are hidden from view. Because they are very light in weight, they will also make the planter easier to move and lift.
When you are out on the water, thread a few polystyrene packing peanuts through your key chain. They will help keep your keys afloat.
Stuff a zippered pillowcase with packing peanuts to make a cushion for your pet. It will provide a lightweight, cool place for your pet to rest. You can also use them as fillers for bean bag chairs.
Use them to make a fat belly, rippling muscles, or to stuff a scarecrow. The light weight makes them easy for children to wear.^{[3]XResearch source}
Instead of using popcorn, string packing peanuts together. You can even add glitter or color to make them more festive.
If you have children, they could make a snowman, a snake, or any other creation from the peanuts. Simply glue them together and decorate them how you wish.
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Insulate coolers or lunchboxes. Fill a zipper-locked plastic bag with packing peanuts and stick it in an ice chest. The ice in the cooler will last longer and the contents will stay cold longer. Use a small zip-closure plastic storage bag filled with packing peanuts and ice as a way to keep food cool in a lunch bag.
- Avoid using packing peanuts for building insulation as they are not treated with flame retardant.
Glue a small magnet to a packing peanut and attach it to your refrigerator. Use a pin to attach notes and lists.
Stamp pages of scrapbooks or homemade cards with packing peanuts dipped in paint. Many of the peanuts already resemble letters or you can cut them into shapes. For example, some come in an “S” or “C” shape, but you could cut them in half to make a half-moon stamper. You could also cut them to resemble squares or triangles, or even glue two pieces together to make circles.
Use packing peanuts to cover sharp tips, such as those on needle-nose pliers or even screwdrivers. This will keep someone from accidentally getting jabbed or poked when rummaging around in the toolbox.
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Tips

Pad your packages with paper. You could also use another Eco-friendly material instead of packing peanuts, such as greenwrap or biodegradable bubble mailers.^{[4]XResearch source}
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Insist that companies with which you do business don’t use packing peanuts. Ask the company to use the biodegradable type of packing peanuts. These green-colored peanuts are made from vegetable starches and will dissolve in water.
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