Pizza Hut has partnered with Smurfit Westrock to promote pizza box recycling in Louisville, Kentucky, aiming to educate consumers about the recyclability of these boxes, even with grease.
This initiative addresses common misconceptions and seeks to increase recycling rates in the community.
Research from Smurfit Westrock indicates that nearly 75% of Americans have access to recycling for used pizza boxes, yet many remain unaware. Emily True, Pizza Hut's global senior manager of sustainability, highlighted the importance of giving pizza boxes a "second life" and noted that at least 35% of the cardboard used in their U.S. boxes is made from recycled content.
With approximately 3 billion pizza boxes consumed annually in the U.S., improving recycling rates could significantly benefit the pulp and paper industry by increasing the supply of recycled fiber. Kevin Hudson, senior vice president at Smurfit Westrock, emphasized the need for collaboration among consumers, manufacturers, and local communities to enhance recycling efforts.
This initiative not only aligns with growing sustainability trends but also has the potential to serve as a model for similar campaigns nationwide, transforming the recycling landscape for food packaging and contributing to a more circular economy.
Smurfit Westrock is a global leader in paper-based packaging solutions, formed from the merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock. The company employs approximately 100,000 people across 40 countries and is known for its commitment to sustainability and circular economy practices. Smurfit Westrock produces various types of packaging, including corrugated boxes, and plays a significant role in recycling and reintroducing used materials into the production cycle to minimize environmental impact.
