Omaha Recycling Guide
Pizza Boxes
Some Restrictions Apply
ACCEPTED: Empty, Clean Cardboard Boxes
Place empty pizza boxes that are free of large stains from food or grease in a curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
- Discard all food contents and plastic inserts
- Discard paper liners and inserts with large food or grease stains
- Keep items loose and do not bag
NOT ACCEPTED: Boxes with Large Food or Grease Stains; Frozen Pizza Boxes
DO NOT place pizza boxes containing food, plastic parts, or grease stains larger than the palm of your hand in a City of Omaha curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container. Place this item in the garbage.
Related Items: Frozen Food Boxes
Where Else Could It Go?
Pizza boxes—even soiled ones—can often be composted for free at home. Remove all plastic or waxed-paper inserts before composting.
An empty pizza box could also be composted through a paid program at an industrial-composting facility, such as Hillside Solutions.
Did You Know
Pizza boxes containing too much leftover cheese, sauce, or grease residue can contaminate other recyclable items.
How to tell if your pizza box can be recycled? With the palm of your hand!
- Hold up your hand to the inside bottom of the box
- If the food or grease stain is smaller than your palm (4-5 inches), it's ok to recycle
- If the food or grease stain is larger than your palm, place the box in the garbage
- OR tear off a soiled bottom and recycle just the clean cardboard top!