Recycling corrugated pizza boxes undoubtedly supports the circular economy at the local, state and national levels. We’re making progress, but there’s still work to do. WestRock is partnering with our customers to help encourage consumers to recycle pizza boxes and prove once and for all that it can be done.
Pizza boxes are made of high-quality corrugated paper, which can be recycled at least seven times. Used pizza boxes often contain grease, which, theoretically, could interfere with the bonding ability of fibers during the papermaking process. However, a study conducted by WestRock found that recycled pizza boxes at expected volumes and grease levels do not significantly impact the papermaking process.
Recycled pizza boxes are repulped at a paper mill and made into new boxes or other paper-based products. The cardboard in old corrugated containers (OCC), including pizza boxes, can be recycled up to seven times before the quality of the fiber is degraded. Introducing boxes made with new (virgin) fiber into the recycle stream helps replenish these degraded fibers and sustain the cycle.
WestRock and Domino’s partnered to print recycling messaging on their pizza boxes in August of this year, reaching hundreds of thousands of consumers every day! By reinforcing the facts and directing consumers to recycling.dominos.com via a QR code, the boxes are a key step in achieving the vision of properly informing consumers about pizza box acceptance guidelines in their community’s recycling programs.
In addition to the information available at recycling.dominos.com, Domino’s continues to advocate for pizza box recycling through customer outreach, social media amplification, and presentations to industry coalitions like the American Pizza Community (APC). Domino’s is dedicated to not only supporting the circular economy through responsible packaging, but also by encouraging consumers to recycle.
