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Last updateTue, 16 Apr 2024 11am
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To Compost or Recycle?

You should always recycle corrugated paper products, right? The answer is not as easy as "Yes, or No", but instead, "Depends".

Pizza boxes and Cardboard Freezer boxes may be in the same category of paper-based food packaging, but they are disposed of in different ways. Their disposal depends on whether food residue is present or whether the box is manufactured with a waterproof, shiny Wax Resin coating.

If the Pizza box or "To Go" Food container is soiled with oil or food residue, then you CANNOT include it in your recycling. This residue prevents the paper from being reused in manufacturing new paper products. Including it with your recycling can contaminate your recycling and negate your well-intentioned efforts. To avoid this, tear off the un-soiled portions of the container, and put those pieces with your recycling, then discard the rest with your trash.

Many, however, prefer to simply put soiled, uncoated paper products in to their compost bin. Through the action of biological processes, the paper will breakdown and become a usable soil amendment product. *

Cardboard Freezer Boxes are an entirely different thing, even though they are made with paper. The waterproof, shiny Wax Resin coating that prevents food from leaking out during storage, also prevents recycling or composting after use, and therefore requires disposal in the trash.

So you can see the answer depends on the type of material, the state of the material and a little common sense. And remember, if you are unsure of what type of coating may be on the trash; use the advice of the folks who handle your recycling, "If in doubt, throw it out".
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