A recent scientific study confirms that greasy and cheese-contaminated pizza boxes can be recycled effectively, building on 2020 research that has expanded acceptance nationwide. Now, 82% of Americans have access to programs that accept them, up from 73% five years ago. This could recover up to 600,000 tons of cardboard annually from the 3 billion boxes used each year in the U.S.
The Recycling Partnership's latest study, released last week, reinforces earlier findings from a 2020 collaboration with WestRock, showing that used pizza boxes remain recyclable despite grease and cheese residues. The original research examined mixed recycling loads containing 8% greasy pizza boxes with contamination levels from 3% to 40% by weight. Results indicated that the materials retained sufficient tensile strength for packaging applications, as typical grease content in boxes is only 1% to 2%—well below the 10% threshold for cardboard recycling.
Acceptance has surged since 2020. The American Forest & Paper Association reports that 82% of U.S. residents can now recycle pizza boxes through community programs, compared to 73% previously. Mills handling 94% of old corrugated containers accept them without affecting operations or product quality. As the association states, “Corrugated pizza boxes are successfully recycled every day at paper mills throughout the country. Our industry wants these boxes back to recycle.”
Practical advice includes removing any remaining pizza, flattening the box, and placing it in recycling bins for light grease stains, which do not hinder processing. Waxed liners should be removed separately. For heavily soaked boxes, composting is recommended. Cheese contamination poses little issue, as it solidifies and is screened out during pulping, preserving fiber viability.
Composting serves as an alternative where recycling is unavailable. Programs in New York City (mandatory since April 2025), California (under SB 1383), Portland, Oregon (updated July 2025), and King County, Washington, all accept food-soiled pizza boxes. Home composters can tear greasy pieces into small bits to aid decomposition, balancing carbon with food scraps.
Tools like Domino’s Recycle My Pizza Box website allow ZIP code checks for local rules and advocacy templates. Residents can share the studies and Recycling Partnership’s toolkit with coordinators to update outdated policies, as seen in communities from Anchorage to New York.