CCCityCheck

Can I Recycle Pizza Boxes in Hurricane, UT?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer

Hurricane accepts 14 materials for recycling. The #1 mistake: plastic bags — they jam sorting machines. Pizza boxes: YES (remove food first). Styrofoam: NO.

Clean pizza box tops can go in recycling in Hurricane. Greasy bottoms go in trash or compost. Hurricane accepts 14 materials curbside, collected weekly on Wednesdays. Do not put plastic bags or styrofoam in the recycling bin.

What Goes in the Recycling Bin in Hurricane

Accepted in Hurricane Curbside Recycling

Cardboard (flattened)

YESRecycling Bin

Flatten boxes, remove packing tape. Must be clean and dry.

Newspaper

YESRecycling Bin

Accepted loose or bundled in most programs.

Magazines & catalogs

YESRecycling Bin

Glossy paper is recyclable. Remove plastic wrapping first.

Office paper & mail

YESRecycling Bin

Includes envelopes with plastic windows — machines handle them.

Glass bottles & jars

YESRecycling Bin

Clear, green, and brown glass. Rinse first. Lids can go in recycling separately.

Common mistake: Putting drinking glasses or window glass in recycling.

Aluminum cans

YESRecycling Bin

Rinse lightly. Can be crushed. One of the most valuable recyclables — infinite recyclability.

Steel / tin cans

YESRecycling Bin

Rinse clean. Labels can stay on — they burn off during processing.

Aluminum foil

YESRecycling Bin

Clean foil only. Ball it up to at least 2 inches so it is not lost during sorting.

Common mistake: Putting foil with food residue in recycling.

Plastic #1 (PET) — bottles & containers

YESRecycling Bin

Water bottles, soda bottles, clamshells. Rinse, crush, replace cap.

Plastic #2 (HDPE) — jugs & bottles

YESRecycling Bin

Milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo. Rinse. One of the most recyclable plastics.

Plastic #5 (PP) — tubs & cups

YESRecycling Bin

Yogurt tubs, margarine containers, some takeout containers. Increasingly accepted but not universal.

Common mistake: Assuming all yogurt cups are recyclable — check local rules.

Pizza boxes

YESRecycling Bin

Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box.

Common mistake: Throwing away the whole box — the top is usually clean and recyclable.

Aerosol cans

YESRecycling Bin

Must be empty. Do not puncture. Remove plastic caps. Steel and aluminum cans both accepted.

Cartons (milk, juice, broth)

YESRecycling Bin

Shelf-stable (aseptic) and refrigerated cartons accepted in most programs. Rinse, flatten, replace cap.

NOT Accepted in Recycling — Goes in Trash

Styrofoam (EPS)

NOTrash

Not accepted in most curbside programs. Some cities have drop-off locations. Breaks into microplastics.

Common mistake: Assuming styrofoam is recyclable because it has a #6 symbol.

Paper coffee cups

NOTrash

Lined with polyethylene, making them non-recyclable in most programs. Lids (plastic #6) also usually trash. Some specialty recyclers accept them.

Common mistake: Thinking paper cups are recyclable — the plastic lining prevents it.

Shredded paper

NOTrash

Too small for sorting equipment. If your program accepts it, bag it in a clear bag or put in a paper bag. Check locally.

Common mistake: Putting loose shredded paper in recycling — it falls through sorting screens.

Mirrors & window glass

NOTrash

Different melting point than container glass. Wrap in newspaper and label 'broken glass' for sanitation worker safety.

Common mistake: Putting broken mirror glass in recycling with bottle glass.

Ceramics & pottery

NOTrash

Contaminates glass recycling. Small pieces go in trash. Donate intact items.

Common mistake: Putting broken mugs in glass recycling.

Food waste

NOCompost

Compost where programs exist. Includes meat, dairy, bones in municipal composting (not backyard). Trash where no program available.

Yard waste (leaves, branches, grass)

NOCompost

Most cities offer separate yard waste collection. Use paper bags or designated bins. Never put in recycling.

Plastic #3-#7 (mixed/other)

NOTrash

PVC (#3), LDPE (#4 film), PS (#6 styrofoam), and #7 (mixed) are rarely accepted curbside. Check local program.

Common mistake: Assuming all numbered plastics are recyclable — most programs only take #1, #2, and #5.

Special Disposal Required

Plastic bags & film

NOSpecial Disposal

NEVER put in curbside bins. Return to grocery store drop-off bins. Includes Ziplocs, bread bags, bubble wrap.

Common mistake: Putting plastic bags in curbside recycling — they jam sorting machines.

Batteries (household alkaline)

NOSpecial Disposal

Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) can go in trash in most states but should be taped on terminals. Rechargeable/lithium batteries MUST go to special drop-off — fire hazard.

Common mistake: Putting batteries in recycling or regular trash.

Electronics (e-waste)

NOSpecial Disposal

Computers, phones, TVs, printers. Many states ban e-waste from landfills. Use municipal drop-off events, Best Buy, or Staples recycling.

Light bulbs (CFL & fluorescent)

NOSpecial Disposal

Contain mercury — never put in trash or recycling. Home Depot and Lowe's accept CFLs. LEDs and incandescent bulbs can go in trash.

Clothing & textiles

NOSpecial Disposal

Donate wearable items. Many cities have textile recycling bins. Never put in recycling bin — tangles machinery.

Motor oil

NOSpecial Disposal

Free drop-off at most auto parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance). Never pour down drain. Up to 5 quarts per visit typically.

Latex paint

NOSpecial Disposal

Dry it out (mix in kitty litter or sawdust) and put in trash, or take to HHW event. Oil-based paint is hazardous — must go to HHW collection.

Common mistake: Pouring paint down the drain or putting wet cans in trash.

Tires

NOSpecial Disposal

Most haulers will not take curbside. Tire retailers usually accept old tires at purchase. Municipal drop-off events or tire recyclers. Fees of $2-5/tire are common.

Mattresses

NOSpecial Disposal

Bulk pickup in many cities. CT, CA, and RI have mattress recycling programs funded by manufacturer fees. Call hauler to schedule.

Common Mistakes

These items end up in Hurricane recycling bins by mistake. They contaminate loads and cause processing shutdowns.

  • Glass bottles & jars: Putting drinking glasses or window glass in recycling.
  • Aluminum foil: Putting foil with food residue in recycling.
  • Plastic #5 (PP) — tubs & cups: Assuming all yogurt cups are recyclable — check local rules.
  • Plastic bags & film: Putting plastic bags in curbside recycling — they jam sorting machines.
  • Styrofoam (EPS): Assuming styrofoam is recyclable because it has a #6 symbol.
  • Pizza boxes: Throwing away the whole box — the top is usually clean and recyclable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I put in the recycling bin in Hurricane?
Hurricane accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling including cardboard, paper, aluminum cans, steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Always rinse containers and check the full list below for city-specific rules.
Can I recycle plastic bags in Hurricane?
No. Plastic bags should never go in curbside recycling in Hurricane. They jam sorting machinery and shut down processing lines. Return plastic bags to grocery store drop-off bins instead.
Is glass recyclable in Hurricane?
Yes, glass bottles and jars are accepted in Hurricane's curbside recycling. Rinse them first and remove lids.
What is the most common recycling mistake in Hurricane?
The most common recycling mistake in Hurricane is putting plastic bags in the recycling bin. Bags wrap around sorting machinery and can shut down an entire processing facility. Other common mistakes include not rinsing containers, putting styrofoam in recycling, and "wish-cycling" — putting non-recyclable items in the bin hoping they will be recycled.

Recycling rules are based on published municipal guidelines. Rules change periodically — always check with Waste Management for the latest accepted materials list.