Follow(8.17.2020) Anchorage –
Effective immediately, pizza boxes are allowed in all Anchorage cardboard recycling.
New data shows that grease and small amounts of cheese in pizza boxes has no impact on the ability of the boxes to be recycled. This material is now accepted in all curbside and cardboard drop-off recycling within the Municipality of 
Anchorage.
Previously greasy pizza boxes were not accepted in Anchorage recycling streams due to concerns that the grease would affect the ability to recycle cardboard into new boxes. The study found that small amounts of grease were found to have no impact.
“We’ve heard from community members that there is confusion about how to best recycle pizza boxes,” said Suzanna Caldwell, Solid Waste Services recycling coordinator. “With this small change we hope we can prevent further confusion and prevent valuable material that can be recycled from going into the landfill.”
While grease and small amounts of cheese are allowed, larger pieces of pizza and other food are still not accepted in cardboard recycling.
For a full list of what can and cannot be recycled in Anchorage, please visit www.muni.org/sws or www.alaskawaste.com