How to Dispose of Styrofoam / Foam in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco recycling carts do not want expanded polystyrene (EPS). White block foam, packing peanuts, and food trays are different streams. Grocery film/bag bins are not a foam drop-off. Recology San Francisco — Bulky Items is the official San Francisco program we verified — if that page only mentions plastic bags or film, treat block foam and food trays as bagged garbage unless it names a foam densifier. Clean peanuts may be reused at a shipper; starch peanuts are not EPS.
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Pickup quote
Can’t take this Styrofoam / Foam yourself?
The official drop-off steps above stay free. If you want someone to haul it, a hauler in our network may call with a quote — you pay them, not DumpRegistry.
Also disposing in San Francisco?
Related recycling and common pickup items — next guide is one tap.
Where to take it in San Francisco
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Local specifics
| Curbside pickup | No / special call or drop-off required |
|---|---|
| Average tipping fee | Trash unless the official page names foam |
| Hazardous rating | Low |
| Nearest facility type | San Francisco trash / confirm EPS densifier — not film bins |
| Rule source level | city |
| Last verified | 2026-08-10 |
Common questions
Same as plastic bags?
No. Store film bins want clean bags and wrap, not EPS blocks, peanuts, or food trays.
Blue cart?
Almost never. Foam shatters and contaminates paper and containers.
Food trays?
Trash at nearly every site, even where clean packaging foam is accepted.
Styrofoam / Foam in other cities
Same item, different city rules — useful if you moved or are comparing nearby metros.
ZIP pages near San Francisco
Facility orientation by ZIP — then jump back into item guides.
More CA cities
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All guides in San Francisco
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