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Which Takeout Food Containers Are Recyclable?
Learn how to properly recycle different types of takeout food containers and utensils so you can order and clean up with confidence.Byline: BTB Editor
January 27, 2025 / Time to read: 5 minWhether you order chicken lo mein and egg rolls or thin-crust pizza, takeout may be part of your weekly meal plan. Maybe it's a casual date night in, family movie night or just a welcome break from cooking. Whatever the occasion or cuisine, you — like many others — may find yourself unsure what to do with the disposable containers after you finish your meal. Can pizza boxes be recycled? What about plastic soup containers? And what do you do with disposable chopsticks, forks, spoons and knives?
To help you understand how to properly dispose of cardboard, plastic and styrofoam food containers and utensils, we created this helpful guide.
Which Takeout Containers Can Be Recycled?
Did you know that if you put food or food-soiled containers into your recycling cart, you can contaminate a whole truckload of otherwise perfectly reusable recyclables? Instead of putting other recyclables at risk, keep these guidelines for takeout recyclables in mind.
Plastic
Just because a takeout container has a
Common plastic takeout items that can be recycled include:
- Clear plastic clamshells
- Plastic cups (no straw)
- Water, juice and soda bottles
Aluminum
Common aluminum takeout items that can be recycled include:
- Soda cans
- Foil trays and containers
Paper or cardboard
Clean paper — like car drink carriers and coffee sleeves — can be recycled. Cardboard clamshells are also recyclable so long as they're not coated or soiled with food.A
Common paper and cardboard takeout items that can be recycled include:
- Drink carriers
- Coffee sleeves
- Clean napkins
- Non-greasy parts of pizza boxes
Wood
While small disposable wood products — like chopsticks — shouldn't be recycled because they can jam equipment, they can often be
Common wood takeout items that can be recycled include:
- Drink stirrers
- Chopsticks
- Popsicle sticks
Which Takeout Containers Can't Be Recycled?
Polystyrene foam
Polystyrene foam — sometimes known as Styrofoam® — is not recyclable. Therefore, you should throw polystyrene clamshells, plates, and cups in the trash.Plastic bags
Your meal may come wrapped and tied up in a plastic bag. You can either reuse the bag or see if you can opt out of it when you order. While plastic bags aren't recyclable curbside, you can take them to a grocery store where they're sent for commercial recycling.Coated paper takeout containers
Chinese food takeout containers or boxes at the salad bar typically should not be recycled because they're coated. While coatings effectively prevent sauces and dressings from soaking through, they render paper unrecyclable.Utensils & accessories
Paper napkins, paper towels and plant-based cutlery are suitable for composting but should never be tossed in with your recyclables. Plastic utensils and condiment packets aren’t recyclable, but you can often opt out of them when you place your order.Tips for Recycling Takeout Containers
Rinse containers
Before you toss your clamshell or coffee cup into your recycling bin, make sure to rinse it out. If, for instance, salad dressing or whipped cream coats the sides of these plastics, you riskReuse containers
Bring your reusable bag if you’re headed to the restaurant to pick up your takeout order. It's also a good idea to reuse cardboard drink holders and only take the napkins you need for your meal.
Compost
Food waste and soiled cardboard, like pizza boxes, can
Take Charge of Your Takeout
The next time you place an order at your favorite takeout spot, enjoy your night off cooking duty and be responsible with container disposal. Knowing the ground rules for different materials — and what to do if a container or utensil has food or grease on it — can help you recycle with confidence.
