CHaRM

Foam Plastic

Woman placing a bag of recyclable materials on a front porch with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.

What can be recycled?

Accepted

Foam Packaging -
LDPE #4 & PP #5
EPS #6 "Styrofoam"
& Packing Peanuts
Packaging Endcaps
EPS #6 Foam Coolers
EPS #6 Foam Fish Coffins
EPS #6 "Styrofoam" GEOFOAM
EPS #6 "Styrofoam" Foam Insulation
EPS #6 Food Service Foam
(cups, plates, clamshells,
school lunch trays)
PUR #7 Carpet Padding,
Mattress Padding, Packaging
PUR #7 Closed Cell Foam

Add-On (Extra fee for items too large for bag)

Foam Coolers
Foam Boxes
TV large/long foam packaging

Not Accepted

Any dirty OR wet foam materials
Flexible/Film plastic
Non-stretchy plastic
PLA or compostable plastic
Rigid Plastics

Sign UpPurchase Bags

Where does it go?

Foam Plastic

The foam plastics are shredded and compressed to be used in picture frames, new packaging for shipments, and construction.

Stack of large black, white, and pink foam bricks arranged on a wooden pallet inside an industrial warehouse.

How CHaRM's Simple, Convenient Recycling Works

Toggle between Route Collection and Mail-In Collection instructions below.
Not sure which one is offered in your area? Click here.

Route Collection
Mail-in Collection
Smiling woman holding a clear plastic bin filled with clothes and packing materials on a brick pathway in front of a house with a blue door.
1

Sign Up for CHaRM & Get Your Kit

Once registered, we’ll mail you a starter kit containing two 18"x24" CHaRM bags to get you rolling!

Person wearing a watch and rings typing on a laptop keyboard on a white desk.
2

Fill & Schedule

Fill your bags with your items! Remember: keep it to one material type per bag! Once full, log into your account to opt-in for a collection.

3

Prep for Collection Day

We’ll send you an email and text reminder the day before we arrive. On collection day, simply place your filled CHaRM bags outside by 7:00 AM.

4

Auto-Replenishment

The number of filled CHaRM bags you put out for collection, we automatically replace with the same number of empty CHaRM bags. Then, go back to Step 2 and continue the cycle!

Smiling woman holding a clear plastic bin filled with clothes and packing materials on a brick pathway in front of a house with a blue door.
1

Sign Up for CHaRM & Get Your Kit

Once registered, we’ll mail you a starter kit containing two 20"x14" CHaRM bags to get you rolling!

Person wearing a watch and rings typing on a laptop keyboard on a white desk.
2

Fill & Schedule

Fill your bags with your items! Remember: keep it to one material type per bag!

3

Mail Back

All of your Mail-In CHaRM bags will be prelabeled to ship with USPS. You can drop off the bags at your nearest USPS or you can schedule a pick up at USPS.com.

4

Order New CHaRM Bags

Once mailed, you can purchase new CHaRM bags through your account and continue the cycle of responsible recycling!

CHaRM Collection Types

White and green waste management truck on a suburban street with message about handling food scraps, plastic, textiles, and electronics that make up half of household trash.

Route Collection

One-time pickup of 2 CHaRM bags. These can be filled with your electronics, textiles, donations, and more. (One category/stream per bag)
Types of accepted material:
- Flexible & Film Plastics
- Foam Plastics
- Rigid Plastics
- Electronics
- Textiles
- Donations
Cost to start: $18 Starter Kit
This includes 2 CHaRM bags as well as the cost of collection and recycling the materials!
Auto-Replenishment: Provided with Route Collection service. When you fill your CHaRM bags and leave them out for collection, we'll automatically replace them with new ones!
Learn More
Two green bags labeled 'CHaRM Collection of Hard to Recycle Materials Bag' placed on a patterned rug in a living room with a gray sofa, brown leather armchair, and wooden coffee table.

Mail-In Collection

One-time mail-in of 2 CHaRM Bags via USPS. These can be filled with your foam, flexible, and rigid plastics. (One category/stream per bag)
Types of accepted material:
- Flexible & Film Plastics
- Foam Plastics
- Rigid Plastics
Cost to start: $32.50 Starter Kit
This includes 2 CHaRM bags as well as the cost of shipping and recycling the materials!
Learn More