Do You Recycle Pizza Boxes? Here's the Right Way

It seems like a simple choice. Pizza box empty? Toss it in the recycling bin. Right?

Well… not always.

Recycling rules aren’t as straightforward as we’d like. 

And when it comes to pizza boxes, most people get it wrong, even the ones who are serious about sustainability.

We’ll break down what makes a pizza box recyclable, what doesn’t, and what you should actually do the next time you’re holding that greasy, half-empty cardboard box.

Can You Really Recycle Pizza Boxes? 

Let’s clear up the confusion: yes, pizza boxes are recyclable.

For the longest time, people believed the grease and cheese made them unrecyclable. But here’s the truth: paper mills say otherwise. 

A major study confirmed that the typical amount of grease found in pizza boxes doesn’t interfere with the recycling process.

The real issue isn’t the grease. It’s the food.

Leftover crusts, toppings stuck to the box, or that one slice someone never finished. that’s what turns a recyclable box into trash. If you remove all food and the box isn’t soaked through, it can go straight into your recycling bin.

Still, not all local recycling programs make this clear. Many cities haven’t updated their guidelines to reflect what paper mills can actually handle. And that leads to a lot of waste that could’ve been recycled.

It’s Already Happening – Pizza Box Recycling For Waste Management 

Pizza boxes are being recycled across the country at paper mills that know how to handle them. 

Every year, Americans go through about 3 billion pizza boxes. That’s around 600,000 tons of recyclable cardboard. A massive amount of material that could be reused to create essentials like packaging for food, medicine, and even household items like toilet paper and paper towels.

The infrastructure to recycle them exists. 

What’s missing? 

Clear guidelines.

Many municipal recycling programs still haven’t updated their policies to explicitly accept pizza boxes. That small policy gap means tons of recyclable material ends up in the landfill.

Between 2019 and 2025, the paper and packaging industry is investing nearly $7 billion into facilities that can process more recycled fiber. Over 9 million tons of it. That’s enough to fill more than 30,000 homes. Pizza boxes are a key part of that supply stream.

How To Assist With Pizza Box Recycling 

Want to make sure your pizza boxes get recycled? 

A few simple steps can make a big difference.

1. Remove all food.
   Leftover slices, crusts, or cheese stuck to the box? That’s a no. A little grease is fine but solid food isn’t. Scrape it off and toss it in the trash or compost before recycling the box.
2. Flatten the box.
   Break it down like you would any cardboard box. A flattened box takes up less space and makes it easier for recycling facilities to process.
3. Keep it loose
   Do not put your pizza box (or any recyclables) in plastic bags. Just place it directly into your curbside recycling cart. Plastic bags jam up recycling machinery and often lead to the entire bin being rejected.
4. Place your cart correctly.
   When it’s pickup day, make sure your recycling cart is within 5 feet of the curb or road. The arrows on the lid should point toward the street so the automated truck can pick it up properly.
5. Know what else can go.
   Alongside your pizza box, you can recycle other paper-based items: newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, cereal boxes, and junk mail. Just make sure everything is clean and dry.

One last thing: if your area hasn’t updated its recycling guidelines yet, check the official town or city website. Some municipalities now list pizza boxes as acceptable, as long as they’re clean.

In a Nutshell 

Pizza boxes can be recycled as long as they’re free of food. Just remove any food, flatten the box, and place it in your curbside recycling bin.

Paper mills are already recycling them. The industry wants more. And the infrastructure is ready.  it just needs us to do our part.

FAQs 

Q: Can you recycle pizza boxes with grease?
Yes, as long as the box is free of solid food. A little grease is okay as paper mills can handle it.

Q: Can you recycle pizza boxes in Florida?
Yes, most areas in Florida accept pizza boxes. Just make sure they’re clean and free of food. 

Q: Can you recycle pizza boxes in California and Texas?
Yes. Both states generally accept pizza boxes in curbside recycling programs. As always, remove food and flatten the box first.

Q: Can you recycle pizza boxes in Washington state?
Most communities in Washington allow pizza box recycling. Clean and flatten the box before putting it in the bin.