Few things are as enticing as the aroma of freshly baked pizzas arriving at your front door, and they’re even more appealing when you realize the boxes are made to be recycled.
That means there may be no need for buyer’s remorse when you contemplate disposing of them afterward—even if they have grease stains and some melted cheese.
In many neighborhoods, neither of those is an impediment to recycling any longer. If you didn’t know that, you’re not alone: Only 57% of Americans realize pizza boxes can be recycled at all, survey data shows.
Where can pizza boxes be recycled?
Where can pizza boxes be recycled?
The ultimate decision over recycle bin vs. trash bag rests with local recyclers and what their equipment and processes accept. Many programs do accept the boxes, whether they explicitly say so or not.
If you live in the Northeast, chances are higher that you can empty and flatten the box and add it to your recycle bin. In the South or Midwest, chances are lower.
Can I recycle greasy pizza boxes?
Can I recycle greasy pizza boxes?
It depends on your area. Check your local recycling center’s guidelines to see what boxes it will accept and how clean they have to be. Guidelines vary from community to community. If you don't see pizza boxes on the list, you can request that your recycling center start accepting them.
How many pizza boxes do Americans use?
U.S. residents use about 3 billion pizza boxes a year. That amounts to 600,000 tons of cardboard material that can be recycled—a big opportunity for consumers and the environment.
How many times can pizza boxes be recycled?
Cardboard boxes like pizza boxes can be recycled up to seven times. By doing so, you’re maximizing the benefits of responsible forest management. Choosing paper and packaging products is one way to show support for healthy forests because U.S. paper producers work with private landowners to purposely grow and maintain them. In the U.S., about twice as much wood is grown for paper and packaging products as is used each year. And recycling makes further use of this renewable resource.
How do I get my pizza boxes ready for recycling?
Once you’ve doublechecked that your local recycler takes pizza boxes, then be sure you empty and flatten the boxes before you drop them in the recycling bin. Just remember: Empty, Flatten and Recycle (EFR)!
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