Polystyrene Recycling
To recycle polystyrene, drop it off for free at Anglesea or Lorne Transfer Station.
The polystyrene material is sorted by our resource recovery staff and then baled at Anglesea Transfer Station in a baler machine. The baler compresses the polystyrene into blocks using a 40:1 compaction process.
The compressed polystyrene blocks are then transported to a Melbourne based remanufacturer that transforms the material onshore, into products such as insulation boards used in residential housing, cold storage facilities, caravans and even swimming pools.
Taking the extra step to recycle your polystyrene, means you're helping keep valuable resources out of landfill and supporting the transition to a circular economy. This local recycling solution supports Victorian manufacturing jobs and reduces transport and export emissions.
*Household quantities up to 0.5m³ (about one car boot load) can be dropped off free of charge.
Important: Please do not place polystyrene in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Polystyrene can contaminate kerbside recycling and is not accepted through the household recycling service.
If you cannot take it to a transfer station, place it in your red-lid landfill bin.
For more information, access Council’s A-Z recycling and waste guide available through SCRRApp (Surf Coast Rubbish and Recycling App) and the A-Z guide.
Free Drop-Off Locations
You can drop your polystyrene off for free at the Anglesea or Lorne Transfer Station.
Transfer Station info
What polystyrene is accepted
The Anglesea and Lorne Transfer Stations accept clean expanded polystyrene (EPS). We only accept clean Expanded Polystyrene which is EPS is rigid, brittle and breaks/crumbles. EPS snaps when bent and leaves bead residue and EPP bends, absorbs energy, and returns to shape.
Examples of commonly used polystyrene applications are:
- Appliance and television packaging
- Furniture packaging
- Protective foam inserts
- White EPS foam sheets and moulded packaging
Polystyrene not accepted
We do not accept Expanded Polypropylene (EPP). EPP is flexible, durable, and rubbery.
Items not accepted:
- Foam rubber products
- Bean bag beads
- Polystyrene contaminated with food, soil or liquids
- Building insulation products
- Packaging containing tape, plastic wrap or other contaminants
We only accept clean Expanded Polystyrene which is EPS is rigid, brittle and breaks/crumbles. EPS snaps when bent and leaves bead residue and EPP bends, absorbs energy, and returns to shape.
Important: Please do not place polystyrene or EPP in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Polystyrene can contaminate kerbside recycling and is not accepted through the household recycling service.
If you cannot take it to a transfer station, place it in your red-lid landfill bin.
Polystyrene applications
EPS is commonly used for:
- Appliance packaging
- Furniture packaging
- Protective packaging for electronics
How do I tell the difference between EPS and EPP?
EPS (Accepted)
- Rigid and brittle
- Snaps and breaks easily
- Crumbles into small beads
- Lightweight white foam packaging
EPP (Not Accepted)
- Flexible and durable
- Bends without breaking
- Rubbery texture
- Springs back into shape after being compressed
What happens to my polystyrene?
- Transfer station staff sort the material.
- The EPS is compressed into dense blocks at a ratio of 40:1.
- The blocks are sent to specialist remanufacturers in Melbourne.
- The recycled material is processed into feedstock used to manufacture insulation products, including StyroTherm and Styroboard insulation boards.
Why recycle polystyrene?
It’s estimated around 9-10 tonnes will be recycled per year, aligning with our work towards a circular economy where we focus on avoiding waste and keeping valuable resources in use for as long as possible.
By recycling polystyrene at our transfer station, you are contributing to our transition to a circular economy and a more local recycling solution, supporting Victorian manufacturing jobs and reducing export emissions.