Your guide to a better future

Knowing what to put in the blue bin (and what not to) will help your local recycling operation run more smoothly.

Senior Editor / Home and Kitchen

I live in Brooklyn where I write about food subscriptions, cooking, kitchen gadgets and commerce. Anything with sesame is my all-time favorite food this week.

Restaurants have relied heavily on takeout these past few years to stay afloat and we've all relied on it to keep sane and well-fed. But all that tasty takeout and meal delivery  coming in means more containers going out into the recycling system. Now is as good a time as ever to learn what can and can't be recycled so less waste ends up in the landfill, and recycling systems don't get bogged down with stuff they can't handle. 

If you're wondering which takeout containers can be recycled and how to discard them, that's the first step toward a smoother system. And we're here to help you get it right.

Food delivery  comes in seemingly endless types of packing materials and it's tricky to know which go in the recycling bin and which belong in the trash. A lot of it depends on the specific recycling system in your geographic region, but there are some general rules to follow. Recycling takeout containers including pizza boxes, clamshells and others is important, but recycling them properly is just as critical for keeping the system humming along. 

For helpful hints and recycling know-how, I turned to an expert on the subject. Jeremy Walters is the sustainability ambassador for Republic Services, the second-largest recycling collector in the US. As a passionate environmentalist and advocate for recycling, he shared some critical tips that'll help all of us become more efficient recyclers of takeout and delivery containers in 2022.

1. Do some recycling research: The most important thing you can do to streamline the process is to find out what containers can and can't be recycled in your specific area. This will likely vary depending on where you live, so you'll need to check with your local sanitation department, often via its website. 

2. Don't assume it can be recycled: Just because a takeout container has a recycling symbol on it doesn't mean it can be recycled where you live. Some cheaper producers of takeout containers will label something recyclable, even if it's not.

3. Give 'em a good rinse: When recycling any takeout containers, make sure they are as clean as possible. Residual food waste, especially grease, can cause a material to become unrecyclable. 

What follows are general rules and guidelines on which takeout containers can and cannot be recycled and how best to recycle them.

Read more: Are Meal Kits More Expensive Than Buying the Groceries? I Did the Math

Styrofoam containers are about as bad as it gets. If you feel comfortable asking your local eatery to make a switch, you probably should.

Polystyrene foam containers: These foam containers are some of the most used for takeout and delivery, so it's likely you've seen them. Unfortunately, they aren't recyclable and must be thrown out.

Most black plastic containers are nonrecyclable.

Black plastic containers: These are another popular choice for restaurants, and while they are often made from recycled materials -- making them at least somewhat eco-friendly -- they can't be recycled and must be tossed. According to Walters, recycling plant sorting technology just hasn't caught up to these materials yet.

Plastic utensils: Not everything made from plastic is recyclable, and recycling plastic utensils is usually dependent on your local facility, so check with your service provider. Even better, when you place your order let the restaurant know you don't need any plastic silverware.

I don't care what American Beauty taught you, plastic bags are not a beautiful thing.

Plastic bags: Your food is often delivered in plastic bags, but they aren't recyclable and can cause serious harm to your local recycling facilities. To dispose of plastic bags, return them to the store where you got them or reuse them. Better yet, don't use them at all and request a paper bag instead.

Soiled paper plates and napkins: These are not recyclable when soiled with food and liquid, so look for reusable, biodegradable or true disposable products instead.

Soiled pizza boxes: In theory, corrugated cardboard can be recycled, but not when it's soiled with oil and cheese. Happy medium: Take the top portion of the box if it's free from oil and recycle that with your cardboard. The bottom half will most likely need to be trashed. 

Some cities -- Austin, Texas for example -- have curbside composting for food-coated paper products. A program like this may not be available in your community, but it doesn't hurt to check. And Block Bins, a shared-bin composting startup that launched in Chicago, provides a similar service even if your town or city doesn't. 

Chinese takeout containers mostly can't be recycled. 

Chinese containers and clamshells: This is another type of container that, in theory, could be recycled -- but because oil often seeps into the cardboard, you're better off throwing them away. Also, many are coated with a sealant that makes them leak-proof and difficult to recycle.

Aluminum containers are recyclable and easy to get clean.

Plastic clamshell containers: Clear plastic takeout containers with a recycling symbol can be recycled. If it's a plastic container labeled No. 1 or No. 2, you can recycle it and should whenever possible. 

Aluminum containers: You know the ones you can never close as tightly as the restaurant did the first time no matter how much you pinch? Yeah, those are recyclable as long as they're clean.

Paper or cardboard containers: These are often made from recycled materials and can be recycled themselves. Some are even biodegradable and compostable as long as they are thoroughly cleaned and haven't soaked up any grease. Even ones that aren't recyclable are far less toxic than plastic or Styrofoam when being processed, burned or buried. 

Paper bags: Many restaurants send their orders in large paper bags and those absolutely can and should be recycled or reused. Plastic bags, on the other hand, can't be.

Clean paper products: Any paper plates, napkins or cardboard pizza boxes that are not heavily soiled with grease can generally be recycled.

We all know it's a tough time for restaurants, but it's a tough time for the planet, too. If you feel comfortable gently letting your local restaurant know you'd appreciate them using one of the many environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic and polystyrene, you should. You could also send a polite, anonymous email saying how much you love the food and service, but that you have one small request on behalf of the Earth.