Can you recycle pizza boxes? Rules by North Jersey county - NorthJersey.com

Can you recycle pizza boxes? Rules by North Jersey county

Pizza boxes can't be recycled everywhere in North Jersey County: See rules by county

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Caitlin Brannigan

Think twice before tossing pizza boxes in the recycling bin.

Although pizza boxes are made from the recyclable material corrugated cardboard, many North Jersey counties restrict how they can be recycled. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, grease-stained pizza boxes and those that still contain food waste cause problems in the paper recycling process.

Because of this, some counties' recycling centers don’t accept pizza boxes at all, while others only accept certain parts of the box.

In every North Jersey county, the wax paper that often comes inside pizza boxes must be removed. It is not recyclable with the rest of the box, according to Recycle Coach.

"It is important ... to first check with your local recycling program prior to adding these boxes into your recycling container so that you do not unknowingly 'contaminate' your load of recyclable materials with unacceptable materials," the DEP wrote.

Residents can use the Recycle Coach app or website to see what materials local recycling centers accept.

More information on local recycling programs can be found here.

Here are North Jersey’s regulations on recycling pizza boxes by county.

Bergen County

Pizza boxes containing grease, cheese, crusts and wax paper liners can't be recycled. Empty and clean pizza boxes can be recycled. Residents can also remove the dirty parts of the box and recycle the rest.

Essex County

Pizza box bottoms with grease and food residue must be thrown in the trash. The rest of the box can be recycled.

Hudson County

Empty pizza boxes can be recycled.

Morris County

All pizza boxes must be thrown in the trash.

Passaic County

All pizza boxes must be thrown in the trash.

Sussex County

Pizza boxes with no food residue can be recycled.

Union County

If the top of the box has no grease on it, it can be recycled. The bottom should always be thrown in the trash.

Warren County

Clean pizza boxes can be recycled.