Can You Recycle Pizza Boxes in New Jersey?

Here’s What You Need to Know About Greasy Boxes, Local Rules & Smart Waste Practices

Pizza night is sacred in New Jersey—from Hoboken rooftops to Cherry Hill backyards. But once the last slice is gone, you're left staring at that empty cardboard box, wondering: Can this go in the recycling bin?

The short answer? Sometimes—but only if it’s clean.

Let’s break it down so you don’t accidentally ruin a whole load of recyclables.

Why Grease Matters in Pizza Box Recycling

Pizza boxes are made of corrugated cardboard—a recyclable material. But here’s the catch: grease and food residue can ruin the recycling process.

Here’s why:

• During recycling, cardboard is mixed with water to form a pulp.

• Grease and oil don’t mix with water, weakening the pulp and contaminating the batch.

• Even a small amount of contamination can lead to entire loads of recyclables being rejected.

So while the box itself can be recycled, the condition it's in determines if it should be.

What Local New Jersey Towns Say

Different cities have slightly different rules—but most agree on one thing: Greasy pizza boxes are a problem.

Town	What They Say	Verdict
Jersey City	“Pizza boxes with food residue cannot be recycled.” – JerseyCityNJ.gov	❌ Greasy = Trash
Ridgewood	“Separate clean sections to recycle.” – RidgewoodNJ.net	✅ Clean = Recycle, Greasy = Trash
Hoboken	“Recycling centers turn away boxes with oil and cheese.” – HobokenGirl.com	❌ Greasy = Trash
Union County	“Grease causes contamination at recycling facilities.” – UCNJ.org	❌ Greasy = Trash
Florence Township (Burlington County)	“A little grease is okay if there’s no food.” – Florence-NJ.gov	⚠️ Mild grease = OK, No food

What Should You Do?

Smart Waste Tips for Pizza Boxes

• Rip it in half

  • Clean top (lid)? → Recycle it.

  • Greasy bottom? → Trash or compost it.

• Don’t wish-cycle

  • Tossing the whole box in “hoping it gets sorted” only causes more harm. Recycling centers may reject entire loads.

• Check local guidelines

  • Use apps like Recycle Coach or visit your town’s Public Works or sanitation website.

  • Search: “YourTown NJ recycling rules.”

Can You Compost Pizza Boxes in New Jersey?

Yes—if your town allows food waste composting.

Many New Jersey towns, like Princeton, now offer compost programs that accept greasy cardboard.

Pizza boxes (minus liners or plastic bits) are considered a “brown” material in composting.

Just:

• Remove any crusts, cheese, wax paper, or liners

• Tear the box into smaller pieces for faster composting

Common Pizza Box Recycling Mistakes

Mistake	Why It’s a Problem
Recycling greasy boxes	Grease contaminates the paper pulp
Leaving crusts or cheese inside	Food attracts pests and triggers rejection
Bagging recyclables in plastic	Most NJ programs don’t allow plastic bags
Assuming all cardboard is recyclable	Some waxed or food-stained cardboard is not accepted

When In Doubt…

Ask yourself:

• Is it clean cardboard? → ✔️ Recycle it

• Greasy but food-free, and composting is available? → 🌱 Compost it

• Greasy or full of cheese/crusts? → 🗑️ Trash it

Help Keep NJ Green 🍃

Being a smart recycler isn’t just about what you throw out—it’s about how you throw it out. Follow your town’s guidelines, avoid contamination, and spread the word so we can keep cardboard—and New Jersey—out of the landfill.

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🌿 About ReGenesis Materials

As a Class A recycling facility based in Voorhees, NJ, ReGenesis Materials processes high-volume recyclables like cardboard, aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass. We partner with municipalities, haulers, and businesses to ensure material recovery is clean, compliant, and sustainable.

Interested in a recycling partnership or educational outreach? Contact us today to schedule a site tour or set up a program for your building, office park, or community.