Abstract: A foamed plastic cooler and handle combination comprising a foamed plastic container having an essentially upright side wall, the exterior of the side wall including a downwardly facing shoulder extending at least partially around the side wall, a frame lying adjacent the exterior of the side wall immediately below the downwardly facing shoulder and extending perimetrically around the exterior of the side wall of the container, and a flexible, continuous rope handle threaded through apertures in the frame. The container is lifted by the flexible rope, and the force required to lift the container and its contents is distributed along the downwardly facing shoulder on the exterior of the side wall of the container.