Tip of the Day - Don't Recycle That Pizza Box
Can you recycle a pizza box?
It's tempting to recycle as much as possible. But it's important to be picky about what you toss in that recycling bin, and sometimes things are best thrown into the regular trash.
Exhibit One: Pizza boxes. While they seem like the perfect candidate to be recycled, most municipalities don't accept them for recycling. Pizza boxes are made from cardboard, but according to the Stanford Recycling Center, once the cardboard becomes soiled with all of that lovely grease and cheese, the paper cannot be recycled. Paper fibers cannot be separated from oils during the pulping process.
Most paper products related to food like paper plates, napkins and towels cannot be recycled for the same reason.
This isn't as much of a problem for plastics, metal and glass, as those materials are recycled using a heat process.
It's tempting to recycle as much as possible. But it's important to be picky about what you toss in that recycling bin, and sometimes things are best thrown into the regular trash.Exhibit One: Pizza boxes. While they seem like the perfect candidate to be recycled, most municipalities don't accept them for recycling. Pizza boxes are made from cardboard, but according to the Stanford Recycling Center, once the cardboard becomes soiled with all of that lovely grease and cheese, the paper cannot be recycled. Paper fibers cannot be separated from oils during the pulping process.
Most paper products related to food like paper plates, napkins and towels cannot be recycled for the same reason.
This isn't as much of a problem for plastics, metal and glass, as those materials are recycled using a heat process.
It's Energy Independence Day! 
Green Your 4th of July Celebration
The Importance of Pollination - It's Not Just Bee Sex
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-22-2008 @ 9:45PM
Kevin said...
In some areas of the US food waste recycling is available as part of yard waste recycling. And food scraps include many types of food containers and wrappers. If it will break down, it can be composted with the grass clippings and other material. It is NOT recommended to compost greasy items in your backyard compost bin because it can attract pests. See http://www.sustainableburien.org/tips.html#recyclefood
If food waste recycling isn't available in your area, start asking for it. You may be able to reduce your garbage output by up to 30%.
Reply