The Consequences of Not Recycling Pizza Boxes
Don't let those empty pizza boxes go straight into the trash - recycle them instead! Doing so helps reduce waste and keeps harmful gases out of our atmosphere while protecting wildlife from potential harm as well - plus its easy too!
Jan. 02, 2023 9:31PM
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A close-up image of an empty pizza box with text reading "Recycle Me!" written across the front in bold letters against a bright blue background
It’s a common sight in many households—a pizza box that’s been used to enjoy a delicious meal, and then tossed into the trash. But what most people don’t realize is that these boxes are actually recyclable, and not recycling them can have serious consequences for our environment. Pizza boxes are made from cardboard, which is one of the most widely recycled materials in the world. Cardboard can be broken down and reused to make new products like paper towels, tissue paper, egg cartons, and even new pizza boxes. By recycling your pizza box instead of throwing it away, you can help reduce waste and keep it out of landfills. Unfortunately, when pizza boxes aren’t recycled they end up in landfills where they take up valuable space and release methane gas into the atmosphere. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. It’s estimated that landfills are responsible for around 25% of all methane emissions worldwide. Not only does not recycling your pizza box contribute to climate change, but it also harms wildlife as well. When cardboard isn’t recycled it often ends up in oceans or rivers where animals can mistake it for food or become entangled in it. This can lead to injuries or even death for some species if they ingest or get stuck in the material. The good news is that recycling your pizza box is easy! All you need to do is remove any remaining food particles before putting it into your curbside bin or taking it to a local recycling center. If you don’t have access to either of those options then you can always repurpose your old pizza box by using it as kindling for a fire or cutting it up into smaller pieces for arts and crafts projects with kids at home! Recycling your pizza box might seem like a small action but its effects on our environment cannot be overstated—so next time you order takeout make sure you remember to recycle your leftovers too!