Packing Peanuts

(Last Updated: 2/22/2022)

Packing peanuts cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling. but there are some drop-off recycling and reuse options for clean packing peanuts.

Is it Plastic or Starch? Peanuts made of vegetable starch dissolve in water. This is a good way to dispose of them if they cannot be reused. Starch peanuts are not accepted for drop-off recycling or for reuse at UPS stores.


Recycle
Year-Round Drop-Off: City of Tacoma Recycling Center and Styro Recycle accept clean packing peanuts.
City of Tacoma Recycling Center
3510 S Mullen St Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 502-2100 | Website | Map
Styro Recycle
23418 68th Ave S  Kent, WA 98032
253-838-9555 | Website | Map

Reuse

Limited Acceptance at Some Shipping Stores: The local shipping stores below usually accept used packing peanuts, but may refuse them if they have no room. Call ahead to ask. If they cannot take your peanuts, put them in your garbageor save to try again.

UPS Stores no longer accept packing peanuts because they stopped using them as shipping material.

Contact the Bremerton Bug Museum and Nature Store to see if they can reuse your packing peanuts.

Bug & Reptile Museum
1118 Charleston Beach Rd. W Bremerton ,  WA 
360-373-7691 | Website | Map
Pack & Mail Plus
3965 Bethel Rd. SE, STE 1 Port Orchard ,  WA 98366
360-876-5571 | Website | Map

Disposal

Dispose peanuts in the garbage if you cannot reuse, recycle, or dissolve them. Bag the peanuts so they do not blow away while being dumped into the garbage truck.