Do the Scratch Test
Shiny cardboard boxes can be recycled, while wax-coated takeout boxes cannot. To identify a wax-coated box, scratch the cardboard and see if the wax comes off. If the wax comes off, throw it out.
No Grease or Food
Cardboard takeout containers cannot be recycled with other cardboard if they are contaminated with food or grease. Food traces can contaminate the recycling process. However, you can tear off the soiled sections and recycle only the clean sections.
Compost Dirty Containers
Soiled cardboard takeout containers can be composted in your backyard. Find out more about how to compost cardboard from Gardening Know How.
Ways to Reduce
Bring Your Own To-Go Container
When dining out, bring a reusable to-go container so that you can bring leftovers home sustainably.
Reusable Packaging For Businesses
Check out Upstream’s catalog of reusable packaging and unpackaging innovators that provide ways for consumers to obtain products, mostly food and beverages, in returnable, reusable, or refillable packaging – or they deliver products to consumers unpackaged altogether.
