Packing Peanuts Alternative ways to recycle Trash All packing peanuts should be placed in the trash. They are difficult to contain and easily escape into and contaminate the environment. Packing peanuts made from plant based materials should also be placed in the trash. We do not currently accept any plant based packaging peanuts in our organics containers. Consider DonationIf the item is still usable, please donate. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas. Choose Green If you have to use packing peanuts, try to pick the green ones. Some are made from recycled materials, and some are starch-based and biodegradable. The pink and white ones are made from 70 percent raw materials and won’t break down. Alternative Ways to Recycle Recycle With Home for Foam Visit Home for Foam to see if there is a foam recycler in your area. These recyclers will accept many foam products, including foam packaging. Ways to Reduce Use Paper Instead Rather than purchasing packing peanuts, use a more sustainable alternative to protect your shipped items, like paper or newspaper that was headed for the recycling. You can also try using shredded paper, which is difficult to recycle. Packing Boxes With Mushrooms Replace your packaging with a green alternative: Ecovative Design has developed bricks of organic waste that are injected with mushroom spores. They are biodegradable and will decompose in a month, unlike foam, which cannot fully biodegrade. Ways to Reuse Save for Next Time Packing peanuts are easily reusable. Just save them and next time you ship something that needs protection, use the packing peanuts again. Take Them to a Mail Store Some mail stores will accept packing peanuts and other packing materials for reuse. It depends on policies and current supply, so call ahead to ask.