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How to Recycle Egg Cartons
Egg cartons come in three materials: molded paper pulp, clear PET plastic, and polystyrene foam. Each one follows a different route, so identify the material before you sort it.
Check local acceptance#1 PET (clear plastic), #6 PS (foam), none (paper pulp)Last reviewed October 14, 2026
Quick answer
How you recycle an egg carton depends on what it is made of. Gray or tan molded pulp cartons go in curbside paper recycling or the compost. Clear plastic (#1 PET) cartons go in curbside plastic where accepted. Foam (#6 polystyrene) cartons do not belong in most curbside bins. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Recycling code
- #1 PET (clear plastic), #6 PS (foam), none (paper pulp)
How to Prepare
- 1Identify the material: fibrous paper pulp, clear plastic, or lightweight foam
- 2Remove any broken egg, shell, and label stickers you can peel off
- 3Put clean paper pulp cartons in paper recycling or tear them up for compost
- 4Rinse clear plastic cartons and recycle them with plastic containers if your program accepts #1 clamshells
- 5Take foam cartons to a polystyrene drop-off, or put them in the trash if none exists nearby
Where to Recycle
- Curbside recycling carts
- Backyard compost bins
- Municipal food-scrap programs
- Polystyrene drop-off sites for foam cartons
Special Instructions
Paper pulp cartons are already made from recycled paper, and their short fibers make them a lower-value paper grade. Some programs prefer them in compost. Follow your local list.
Environmental Impact
Pulp cartons break down quickly in compost and add carbon to the pile. Foam cartons last for centuries in a landfill, so buying eggs in pulp or PET packaging cuts waste at the source.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Give clean cartons back to a local farm or egg seller
- Use pulp cartons as seed-starting trays
- Use cartons to sort small hardware or craft supplies
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Clean molded pulp cartons
- Clean clear PET cartons where #1 clamshells are accepted
- Foam cartons at dedicated polystyrene drop-offs
Not Accepted
- Cartons with raw or broken egg inside
- Foam cartons in most curbside carts
FAQs
Are cardboard egg cartons recyclable?
Yes. Molded pulp cartons go in curbside paper recycling in most programs, and they compost well too.
Can foam egg cartons go in the recycling bin?
Not in most programs. Foam needs a dedicated polystyrene drop-off. If none exists nearby, put the carton in the trash.
Will a local farm reuse my egg cartons?
Many small farms and farmers market vendors take clean cartons back. Ask before you drop them off.
Recycle egg cartons
Search recycling centers by city or ZIP, or explore more paper materials.