Pizza Boxes: They’re Not Always Recyclable

Connecticut law requires cardboard to be recycled (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 22a-241b-1 et seq.). But many municipalities do not accept pizza boxes for recycling. Although generally made from recyclable corrugated cardboard, the boxes are often soiled with grease and cheese and not recyclable unless the tainted portions are removed.

According to Recyclebank, a private company that rewards people for environmentally friendly behavior, food and grease contaminates the paper recycling process. Paper is recycled through a slurry process where the paper is mixed with water. The paper fibers cannot separate from the oils during the pulping process, which can ruin the whole batch. Items such as paper plates and napkins are similarly not recyclable. Recyclebank suggests removing the soiled portions of the pizza box, trashing them, and recycling the rest. It can also be composted.