Several months ago I was reading an article about recycling and decided to try and re-use things that could not be recycled. One thing that really surprised me was to learn that pizza boxes were on the list. So I decided to cover a pizza box, but I must admit for the past several months I have been stumped about this. Now that I am writing an article about pizza boxes; I decided to find out why they can't be recycled. My box is sitting pretty in my kitchen as I write this article. It happens to be the food particles left on the boxes, plates and napkins that are the problem; not the boxes themselves.
Well, at least I saved the boxes from being recycled and saved energy resources! This box is not entirely green friendly, but they will last a long time unless something unexpected happens to them. Meanwhile many lunches will be served using them and they will be great conversation pieces sitting on the picnic table. I also use them for my sewing scraps. The ones that don't get the pretty little cover are used for storing sewing crafts, and fabric scraps, which by the way will help me stay organized when I move them into my new sewing room after the shop gets built! The boxes shown are at least 8 years old. We rarely go out to eat; so I don't get very many. I shop mostly all the outside isles of the grocery store because I cook from scratch.
Recycling holds true to all paper products if they have food residue on them. Even if the box has the label that says it can be recycled. Grease forms in top of the slurry and the fibers can't separate from the oils in the pulping process. The binding of the paper is weakened from the contamination; causing poor quality of paper. Now get this . . . . For all of those folks who sneak in the boxes . . . . guess what? It contaminates the entire batch! All goes to the land field. The good news is the boxes can be put into the compost pile.
There you have it. For the full article : https://www.recyclebank.com/live-green/330-the-pizza-box-recycling-mystery/#.UAWpXLT2ZrM. Now let me show you how to save a pizza box from the land field ; if it is a soiled pizza box. Please visualize a soiled box in the picture; that will make it easier to follow through and keep you focused.
Let's make a lunch box.
Well, at least I saved the boxes from being recycled and saved energy resources! This box is not entirely green friendly, but they will last a long time unless something unexpected happens to them. Meanwhile many lunches will be served using them and they will be great conversation pieces sitting on the picnic table. I also use them for my sewing scraps. The ones that don't get the pretty little cover are used for storing sewing crafts, and fabric scraps, which by the way will help me stay organized when I move them into my new sewing room after the shop gets built! The boxes shown are at least 8 years old. We rarely go out to eat; so I don't get very many. I shop mostly all the outside isles of the grocery store because I cook from scratch.
Recycling holds true to all paper products if they have food residue on them. Even if the box has the label that says it can be recycled. Grease forms in top of the slurry and the fibers can't separate from the oils in the pulping process. The binding of the paper is weakened from the contamination; causing poor quality of paper. Now get this . . . . For all of those folks who sneak in the boxes . . . . guess what? It contaminates the entire batch! All goes to the land field. The good news is the boxes can be put into the compost pile.
There you have it. For the full article : https://www.recyclebank.com/live-green/330-the-pizza-box-recycling-mystery/#.UAWpXLT2ZrM. Now let me show you how to save a pizza box from the land field ; if it is a soiled pizza box. Please visualize a soiled box in the picture; that will make it easier to follow through and keep you focused.
Let's make a lunch box.
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
This is what I used on my box but a stencil and paints would be cute also.
1 Pizza box
1 scrap piece vinyl table cloth.
Matching thread with sewing needle.
2 1/2 Yards ribbon.
1 Button.
1 Silk flower.
Plastic silverware optional.
I used a Domino's pizza (chicken box) and a vinyl table cloth scrap because I wanted it to be somewhat washable. I recommend using a medium quality cloth. If it is too thick or too thin it won't be easy to work with. I buy mine at Walmart for around 5 dollars and when I replace the cloth I save the old one for my crafts. The dollar store quality is pretty thin. Contact paper would work awesome with this box and it is washable. It would be a lot less time as well. No sewing. I wanted this project to be re-use and felt the table cloth was a better choice but it was more difficult to work with.
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