Posted on June 21, 2018 at 11:59 AM by Becky Robinson
Dear Recyclinda,
Can we recycle pizza boxes?
The Boxer, Boca Raton
Pizza boxes are a quandary. They are made of cardboard, and so one might assume that they are perfect fodder for that Yellow recycling bin.
Yet, they are often soaked in the delicious cheese and grease that so often accompanies a tasty slice. Sadly, paper products that have absorbed food oils or liquids are definitely not recyclable.
This dichotomy speaks to the reason why we have two bins in the first place: keeping food containers safely ensconced in a Blue bin ensures that the paper and cardboard in the Yellow bin remains delightfully pristine and easy to recycle.
So, my final verdict: give that pizza box a good ogling to see if there is any grease. If not, recycle the clean side! If there is a saucy blemish on the bottom, toss that half in the trash, where it will be sent to one of the Solid Waste Authority's Renewable Energy facilities and used as fuel to generate electricity.
Quandary: solved.
