Buzz
Recycling isn’t always straightforward—it’s more than just tossing items into the right bin. Different municipalities have specific guidelines on what can and cannot be recycled, and failing to follow them could lead to unnecessary waste being sent to landfills. Pizza boxes serve as an example of something that’s recyclable but not always able to be saved.
You’ve probably heard that pizza boxes can’t be recycled, but that’s not entirely accurate. Most pizza boxes are crafted from corrugated cardboard, a material that is recyclable in most cases. This material is commonly found in the paper products collected for recycling, as noted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
If your pizza box is clean, feel free to toss it in the recycling bin. Things become trickier, however, when the box is stained with food residue. Pizza boxes tend to absorb grease from the food inside, and unfortunately, greasy items can’t be recycled. While some recyclables can be washed, grease stains are particularly difficult to remove from paper products. If you choose to recycle a soiled box anyway, it may contaminate other materials, ultimately contributing to more waste.
Dedicated recyclers needn’t skip pizza night. Even if the bottom of your pizza box is dirty, simply remove the clean top half and recycle it. If you can’t bear to discard the rest, rest assured that cardboard is fully compostable, regardless of how greasy it is. Here’s the real story behind some common recycling myths.
