Polyethylene (PE) foam, commonly found in products for packaging, insulation, and cushioning, can be recycled, though its recycling process is more complex compared to that of other plastics like PET or HDPE. PE foam needs to be collected and separated from other types of waste. This can be challenging because PE foam is often discarded with general waste and can be contaminated.

PE foam is very bulky, so it is usually compacted or shredded to reduce its size and make transportation more efficient. One example is the GREENMAX machine, which provides technology for recycling waste polyethylene foam. GREENMAX PE foam recycling machine has been implemented in various locations, including in the USA, and is designed to handle different types of foam waste, converting them into more manageable and recyclable forms.

GREENMAX machines are designed for easy operation and are suitable for a variety of foam types including polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene. These machines support the concept of a circular economy by turning foam waste back into foam or reusable materials for other products and applications

The compacted or shredded foam is then melted and formed into pellets. These pellets can be used to make new foam products or other plastic products. The recycled pellets are used in the production of new PE foam products or other plastic items.