Can you recycle pizza boxes?

Why grease matters

Paper recycling works by breaking fibers down in water. Oil and food residue can interfere with that process and can spoil a batch of otherwise clean paper. For that reason, programs often accept only the clean parts of a pizza box.

The EPA says recycling rules are set locally, so there is no single national answer. What one town accepts, another may not.

A common approach

1. Tear off the lid if it is clean and recycle it where cardboard is accepted.
2. Remove the greasy bottom, along with any food or paper liners.
3. Put the soiled part in the trash, or in the compost or food-scrap bin if your program takes it.
4. Check your program's list before deciding, since some accept lightly soiled boxes and some do not.

Composting a soiled box

Plain cardboard soiled with food may be accepted by some commercial composting and food-scrap programs. Check the exact list for your service. Boxes with a plastic or wax coating, a glossy print or a plastic window are not plain cardboard, so look for the maker's note on the box.

Home composting has limits too. Large pieces break down more slowly, so tear the cardboard into small pieces before adding it.

Reading the symbols

A recycling symbol on a box tells you what it is made of or what the maker intends, but it does not guarantee that your local program accepts it. The FTC Green Guides cover how recyclable claims should be made and say marketers should qualify them when facilities are not available to most consumers.

If you want to cut waste

Ask the shop whether it can use your own container, or choose a shop that packs pizza in a plain box without a coating. Our guide to compostable plates and cups lists other plain-fiber options for gatherings.

Sources

• US EPA guidance on checking local recycling rules
• FTC Green Guides (16 CFR Part 260)