PS (polystyrene) - 06

You might be surprised to know that we don't use plastic resin identification codes to decide if something can be recycled. In fact, our recycling contract with the company that separates the recycling (Biffa) includes a long list of items that can be recycled, not a list of plastic types. Read more about this in our article Do plastic codes tell you if something is recyclable? (opens in a new window).

To check if something is recyclable, either search for the individual item on our A-Z function (opens in a new window), or check on our recycling page (opens in a new window).

PS (polystyrene) can be made into rigid or foam products. Expanded polystyrene (opens in a new window) is the kind of sturdy packaging material that is used to protect products such as large electrical appliances. It is not the same as the type of polystyrene used to make takeaway containers (opens in a new window).

PS (polystyrene) can be found in disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, takeaway containers, expanded polystyrene inserts and foam.

Polystyrene takeaway containers cannot go in your household recycling collection in north London. Please put it in your general waste. However, you can recycle expanded polystyrene at north London reuse and recycling centres (opens in a new window).

PS (polystyrene) can be recycled into hard plastics like toys, hangers, picture frames, insulation, packing, takeaway containers.