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UW Recycling does not accept Styrofoam from off campus.

If you are looking for local resources to dispose of Styrofoam, please consult King County Solid Waste Division’s What do I do with…? tool and Seattle Public Utilities’ Special Item Collections.

What is acceptable

The following materials are accepted by UW Recycling for a self-serve recycling program. Custodians are not responsible for transporting these materials:

  • Packing peanuts
  • Rigid Styrofoam and polystyrene blocks/boxes
  • LDPE #4 foam
  • Polyethylene foam

Instructions:

  1. All materials must be clean, empty and bagged separately (otherwise they will be discarded as garbage). This means no tape, labels, ice packs, paper, etc.
  2. Collect separately in your own clear bags.
  3. Tie off full bags securely and label them with your department’s name and box number.
  4. Place bags next to recycling containers at building’s loading dock or service area.
  5. Do not block doors or walkways.
  6. After bags have been placed at the dock, email recycle@uw.edu. Materials will be collected during the next regularly scheduled stop at your building.

Large volumes

UW Recycling provides large clear bags to collect packing peanuts, Styrofoam/polystyrene blocks and boxes for most campus locations. Contact UW Recycling if you would like to establish a packing peanut or Styrofoam collection container, or an internal bag distribution location. You can also order styrofoam collection bags online.

Buildings with internal bag distribution sites