In November 2007, the City of Roseville’s Environmental Utilities Department  launched a pilot program to begin collecting and recycling Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). The pilot program, a first for the region, provided EPS recycling bins at selected recycle drop-off sites throughout the city. During the pilot, the Solid Waste Division also collected EPS from participating retail sites within Roseville.  Through this program, we discovered that there is a large amount of this material taking up precious landfill space.  The program is now permanent and we are looking for opportunities to expand its capacity and divert more material from being landfilled towards beneficial reuse.

The City of Roseville continues to collect and process EPS, as it provides an invaluable service to our residents, our business community and our environment.  

What happens to the EPS after it is collected?

The EPS collected by the city is condensed and transported to companies who pay for the collected EPS to be recycled and made into items such as baseboards, crown molding, lightweight concrete and packaging.

As a resident, where can I take my EPS to be recycled?

For residents, EPS recycling bins have been placed at the following locations:

Maidu Park at 1550 Maidu Dr., Roseville

Ray Lockridge Park - 2601 Eureka Rd., Roseville

Washington Boulevard (across from All American Raceways) at 800 All American City Blvd., Roseville

Mahany Park adjacent to Bear Dog Park at 1575 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville

Westpark Drive at 4475 Westpark Drive, Roseville

What types of EPS are accepted as part of the program?

To make the program viable and to recycle the collected EPS, we need your help in ensuring that only clean EPS is deposited in the recycle bins. Please follow these guidelines when bringing your EPS to one of our recycle drop-off sites:

- Bring only EPS that is clean, dry and uncontaminated with other materials
- Remove any foreign materials such as tape, stickers, labels, paint and cardboard.
- Contain the EPS in a bag, bundle or box for easy loading and unloading. However, please only place EPS in the bin.
- Make sure the material is actually EPS – look for the #6 recycling symbol.
- Food containers with the #6 recycling symbol. These containers must be clean and free of any food contaminants.

The city will not accept:

- Dirty food containers, meat trays, disposable cups, etc.
- Packing peanuts
- Bubble wrap

Where can I take packing peanuts to be reused?

Although packing peanuts are not accepted as part of this pilot program, they are accepted and reused at most shipping and packing stores in the Sacramento area. The closest store to Roseville that accepts packing peanuts is:

Postnet
2230 Sunset Blvd., # 330
Rock Creek Plaza/Next to Safeway
Rocklin, CA 95765
(916) 772-7766

Other locations in the Sacramento area that accept packing peanuts for reuse can be found by going to the Plastic Loose Fill Council website.

I own a business in Roseville. How can we participate in the EPS collection program?

To make the program viable, we highly encourage businesses in Roseville to participate. Placement and hauling of the EPS recycling bin is free and may reduce the amount of waste in your regular trash bin.  The city is working with other retailers to place EPS recycling bins at other major retail centers in Roseville. Businesses in Roseville interested in participating in the EPS recycling pilot program are encouraged to contact Chris Uhercik, Refuse Supervisor, at (916) 774-5786 for more information.

Quick Facts About EPS

In 1999, an estimated 300,000 tons of EPS was landfilled in California at an estimated cost of $30 million. Due to its light weight, EPS is a large source of litter both on land and in waterways. Cities bear the cost of cleaning up this material with clean-up costs for litter estimated at over one dollar per pound. Collecting EPS and directing it towards recycling helps save money and is good for the environment.

About Environmental Utilities

Environmental Utilities is Roseville's provider of water, wastewater and refuse utility service. Environmental Utilities also provides environmentally friendly programs for Roseville's residents and businesses that help promote recycling, water conservation, stormwater management and proper disposal of household hazardous waste. These programs help our customers become good environmental stewards and continue to foster an great lifestyle and place to do business in a manner that is sustainable.