{"id":1605,"date":"2024-08-20T12:19:38","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T17:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/?p=1605"},"modified":"2024-08-20T12:19:38","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T17:19:38","slug":"get-free-styrofoam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Easy Ways to Get Free Styrofoam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019re searching for free Styrofoam, I\u2019ll tell you about some of the best places to get some.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps you want Styrofoam for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Insulating your home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keeping drinks cool or warm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-packing-supplies\/\">Packing supplies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arts and crafts projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or other reasons!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless, you don\u2019t feel like spending money \u2014 or you\u2019re on a tight budget \u2014 but need Styrofoam ASAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t fret because I\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before I go on, I would like to share why Styrofoam (also known as Expanded Polystyrene) makes a good insulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its <a href=\"https:\/\/omnexus.specialchem.com\/selection-guide\/expanded-polystyrene-eps-foam-insulation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cellular composition<\/a> allows air to become trapped, reducing heat transfer; therefore, it regulates temperature stability to guard against extreme heat or cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, enough with the science lesson; let\u2019s move on to the leads!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-673e699f05fe4\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-673e699f05fe4\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#How_to_Get_Free_Styrofoam_Near_Me\" title=\"How to Get Free Styrofoam Near Me\">How to Get Free Styrofoam Near Me<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#1_Furniture_stores\" title=\"1. Furniture stores\">1. Furniture stores<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#2_Pharmacies\" title=\"2. Pharmacies\">2. Pharmacies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#3_Universities\" title=\"3. Universities\">3. Universities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#4_Craigslist\" title=\"4. Craigslist\">4. Craigslist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#5_Seafood_restaurants\" title=\"5. Seafood restaurants\">5. Seafood restaurants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#6_Freecycle\" title=\"6. Freecycle\">6. Freecycle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#7_Grocery_storessupermarkets\" title=\"7. Grocery stores\/supermarkets\">7. Grocery stores\/supermarkets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#8_Neighborhood\" title=\"8. Neighborhood\">8. Neighborhood<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#9_Your_Home\" title=\"9. Your Home\">9. Your Home<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-styrofoam\/#Save_Money_and_Get_Styrofoam_for_Free\" title=\"Save Money and Get Styrofoam for Free\">Save Money and Get Styrofoam for Free<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Get_Free_Styrofoam_Near_Me\"><\/span>How to Get Free Styrofoam Near Me<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Use the following ways to obtain Styrofoam without spending a dime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Furniture_stores\"><\/span>1. Furniture stores<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A furniture store typically has plenty of Styrofoam sheets, bricks, and other forms warehoused away somewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feel free to stop by a mom-and-pop store or a chain like Ashley Furniture and ask the owner\/manager to take the stuff off their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Pharmacies\"><\/span>2. Pharmacies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since pharmacies bring in and store prescription medicine until patients pick them up, they\u2019re bound to have some excess Styrofoam lying around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check your nearest Walgreens or CVS and inquire about any leftover Styrofoam they might have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Universities\"><\/span>3. Universities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A university is likely the last place one would find Styrofoam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, I mention this lead because one department frequently uses them: the biology department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, to carry live (and dead) specimens. (During my short-lived college days, I would participate in dissections, and I even saw stuffed animal heads near the classrooms.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This method works best if you\u2019re a biology major or a professor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But even if you\u2019re not associated with said school, you could try it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Craigslist\"><\/span>4. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.craigslist.org\/about\/sites\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Craigslist<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Though Craigslist is known for being an e-commerce\/job ad site, it\u2019s also where you\u2019ll find free things, especially Styrofoam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to the \u201cFor sale\u201d section of your local Craigslist, click \u201cfree,\u201d and look for any individuals or businesses eager to give away Styrofoam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Seafood_restaurants\"><\/span>5. Seafood restaurants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Seafood restaurants use Styrofoam boxes to carry and unpack lobsters, shrimp, and other sea creatures they plan to make into lunch or dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps you could request some free Styrofoam before or after your meal at your favorite seafood spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Freecycle\"><\/span>6. Freecycle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Freecycle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving\/receiving free items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Search for your nearest town group by entering your town, state, or region into the search bar on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freecycle.org\/find-towns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find a Town<\/a> page, or use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/viewer?mid=115qehB5Vku4jMC4ps10U2aTRYCrVtlon&amp;ll=53.081754436429776%2C17.771795769798167&amp;z=5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Maps<\/a> to click on the balloon closest to your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you find it, sign up and look for any locals willing to lend you their Styrofoam products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Grocery_storessupermarkets\"><\/span>7. Grocery stores\/supermarkets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Because grocery stores and supermarkets have so many goods to sell, they\u2019re likely to possess some leftover packaging materials (i.e., Styrofoam).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider asking for some Styrofoam on your next shopping errand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Neighborhood\"><\/span>8. Neighborhood<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some neighborhood residents have close ties with each other and will barter practically anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you know your neighbors well, knock on their doors and ask if they have any Styrofoam to spare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what if you don\u2019t know them very well?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could either walk down your block and look for any Styrofoam pieces placed on people\u2019s front lawns or create an ad on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nextdoor.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nextdoor<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Your_Home\"><\/span>9. Your Home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to know where to get free Styrofoam without going anywhere or posting an online ad?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look hard enough, and you might find it in your own apartment or house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps you have some stashed away in your garage, attic, closet, or basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might even have a box or sheet pushed aside in a corner of your bedroom, and you stopped paying attention to it for a while until you realized you needed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spruce up your home to see if you come across any Styrofoam \u201ctreasures.\u201d (This also frees up space if your place is overdue for a good housekeeping.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Save_Money_and_Get_Styrofoam_for_Free\"><\/span>Save Money and Get Styrofoam for Free<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you <a href=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/get-free-moving-boxes\/\">moving<\/a>, working on a DIY project, or something else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then begin snagging some free Styrofoam through one or more of the above techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/get-free-styrofoam-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Box of free Styrofoam\" class=\"wp-image-1613\" title=\"How to get free Styrofoam\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/get-free-styrofoam-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/get-free-styrofoam-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/get-free-styrofoam-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/get-free-styrofoam.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re searching for free Styrofoam, I\u2019ll tell you about some of the best places to get some. Perhaps you want Styrofoam for:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1605","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-save-money","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1605"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1616,"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1605\/revisions\/1616"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneymellow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}