DANE COUNTY, Wis. (Feb. 4, 2025) — As we approach National Pizza Day on Sunday, Pellitteri Waste Systems, Inc. — Southern Wisconsin’s leading independent, family-owned and operated waste and recycling service provider — is putting an end to the pizza box debate once and for all. Yes, whole pizza boxes are recyclable.
Pellitteri customers can now place the entire empty pizza box, even the parts with grease and cheese residue, in their recycling cart or recycling dumpster.
"Not all waste haulers accept pizza boxes," explains Pellitteri President David Pellitteri. "Across our industry, there have been concerns that grease or cheese residue prevented parts of the box from being made into new paper products. In our company's efforts to recycle more materials, we choose to work with paper mills in the Midwest that have employed the technology necessary to accept and clean typical levels of grease and cheese residue so that it no longer impacts the recyclability of pizza boxes. That's why we can now accept the whole box."
Whole pizza boxes are the latest addition to Pellitteri's expanded list of recyclables, which includes these materials that go above and beyond what is required by state law:
• Hot and cold paper cups
• Paper milk and juice cartons
• Metal pots and pans
• Shredded paper properly prepared in clear plastic bags (no larger than a basketball)
• Small metal appliances like toasters and blenders (no larger than a basketball, no batteries)
• Small metal plumbing fixtures, faucets, valves
Pellitteri can recycle these items because of its focus on using end markets that look to expand recycling opportunities and because Pellitteri continues to invest in technology that allows it to sort additional materials.
According to the American Forest & Paper Association, pizza boxes are made of high-quality corrugated paper, which can be recycled at least 7 times. A study by WestRock, one of the largest box manufacturers in the U.S., estimates that there are approximately 3 billion pizza boxes used in the U.S. annually, which represents an estimated 600,000 tons of highly desired corrugated material that should be recycled and not needlessly wasted.
Pellitteri asks its customers to do their part by placing the pizza box in the recycling bin; just remember to remove any remaining food, tissue or plastic centerpieces from the box. You can find more information in this short video. Want to become a Super Recycler? Watch these short recycling tips videos to become a recycling expert!
Pellitteri customers also have a mobile app to verify if items are recyclable and set collection day reminders. Download the app at pellitteri.com/RecycleRight. For more information, visit www.pellitteri.com.
*Pizza boxes are recyclable if Pellitteri collects or processes your recycling (City of Madison recycling is processed by Pellitteri); otherwise, check with your local recycling provider to see if they accept pizza boxes in their recycling, as rules vary by local hauler.
About Pellitteri Waste Systems
Pellitteri Waste Systems, Inc. is a Madison-based, family-owned and operated waste disposal and recycling company focused on providing needs-based solutions and outstanding customer service. Pellitteri has a proud tradition of service and community involvement and currently serves around 80,000 households for waste and recycling collection throughout Southern Wisconsin. Pellitteri offers environmental leadership, stewardship, and innovation, as shown by their constant work to recycle better and more items at their local recycling facility. Pellitteri collects and processes millions of pounds of recycling to be made into new products each year and was a recipient of the following awards in recent years: Recycling Excellence Award from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Outstanding Achievement in Education Award from the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin, and the Business Friend of the Environment Award from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Learn more at www.pellitteri.com/news.
