Can you recycle pizza boxes?

Paper recycling works by pulping fibre in water, and oil does not mix with water. Grease-saturated cardboard contaminates the pulp batch and produces paper that will not bond properly, which is why heavily soiled board is rejected. The lid of a pizza box is usually clean and perfectly recyclable; the base is usually where the grease is. Tear the box apart, recycle the clean sections, and put the greasy base in the general waste or compost it if your service accepts food-soiled paper. Loose cheese and crusts must come out either way.

How to do it properly

1. Remove all leftover food, cheese and the cardboard circle or plastic tripod.
2. Tear the lid off. If it is clean and dry, recycle it.
3. Bin or compost the greasy base.
4. Flatten whatever you recycle.

What goes wrong

• Grease contaminates a whole pulp batch, not just the one box.
• Food left inside attracts pests at the sorting facility.

Other "can you recycle" questions

• Can you recycle plastic bags? It depends — Not in kerbside bins. They need a store drop-off point that takes soft plastic film.
• Can you recycle batteries? It depends — Yes, but only at a collection point. Batteries in a kerbside bin start fires.
• Can you recycle styrofoam? No — Effectively no. Almost no kerbside service takes it, and food-soiled foam never qualifies.
• Can you recycle coffee cups? It depends — Not in ordinary paper recycling — the plastic lining needs a specialist facility.
• Can you recycle receipts? No — No. Most receipts are thermal paper coated with BPA or BPS and must go in general waste.
• Can you recycle shredded paper? It depends — Often not loose — short fibres fall through the sorting screens. Bag it or check locally.

Kerbside recycling rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always beat general guidance. Check your own collection service before assuming any material is accepted.