Paperboard Cartons Are More Eco-Friendly Than Foam Ones October 16, 2015 Email As you grocery shop, think about where your food packaging will end up. Eggs often come in paper or foam casing. Did you know that paperboard packaging is the more eco-friendly option? It’s recyclable and biodegradable. Foam is less so because it’s made from polystyrene, or plastic #6, which is a petroleum product and often not recycled. Even if paperboard ends up in a landfill, it will break down and leave no harmful traces.