Takeout Containers (Styrofoam) Alternative ways to recycle Landfill Throw Away #6 Styrofoam Hard plastic #6 is often accepted at recycling facilities, but foam plastic #6 is not. Throw these containers away, even if they are marked as 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 beverage and food containers. Find out more. Did You Know? The Preferred Takeout Container Out of all the types of takeout containers—aluminum, cardboard, plastic and styrofoam—aluminum is the easiest for recycling plants to recycle, while styrofoam is the most difficult. No Such Thing as a Styrofoam Cup Styrofoam is a brand name, not a type of plastic. Dow Chemical Company, who manufactures the real Styrofoam, makes insulation and not those white plastic cups, trays or containers that most people call styrofoam.