Can you recycle pizza boxes? Now this is a question that really gets you confused. At first thought, you would think that the box is perfectly recyclable because it is made from cardboard. But the fact is that pizza boxes that have been used even once, cannot be recycled whatsoever.
What’s the Problem?
As long as the box is unused, it can be recycled. But the moment you put food on it, the grease from the oil and fats (in the food) seeps into the cardboard material and it is impossible to get this out. If you send such contaminated material into recycling, then the fibres would not be able to separate from the oil during the pulping stage of the recycling process.
The problem with sending a contaminated pizza box is that even a small piece can ruin a perfectly recyclable batch and this would lead to loss of resources and money. There is no sense in causing more damage than what has already been inflicted on the environment. It would not have been a problem if the consumption of such boxes was not so widespread. If you find this hard to believe, just visit your local garbage collection centre and you would come to know about the huge quantities of pizza boxes (contaminated with cheese and oils) that are thrown away.
The Solution
The most effective solution is to spread awareness about the contamination of the pizza box and its impact on the recyclability of the material. Although you can never avoid the use of such boxes, you can always turn to greener options. Many companies have started using compostable containers and specially designed recyclable-friendly pizza boxes that do not have a negative impact on the environment. Such efforts go a long way in ensuring optimal utilization of available resources without having to sacrifice convenience or comfort.
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