Paper cups, pizza boxes now OK to recycle in Richmond

Richmond's regional recycling group. the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority, has added two items to the list of things Richmonders can recycle.

Pizza boxes are now accepted after a study showed that grease and residual cheese is not an issue for recyclers.

Stuck-on cheese, crumbs, leftover crust and waxy liners should still be removed before recycling.

Paper cups have become more common now that styrofoam is banned in Virginia.

Styrofoam ban for all food outlets begins July 1

Localities are allowed to grant a one-year exemption to eligible food vendors if they can demonstrate that complying with the ban would create “undue economic hardship.”

The RichmonderHaidyn Brockelman

According to the CVWMA, a growing number of recyclers are able to separate the paper from the coating that helps prevent liquid from leaking.

"Paper cups are made from fiber that is a desirable material for paper recycling mills," the group wrote. "However, not all mills are able to separate the plastic coating found on cups that is used to prevent liquid from leaking out or soaking through the paper.

"The good news is that a growing number of mills can accept and process poly-coated cups when included in existing bales such as Sorted Office Paper, Residential Mixed Paper and Cartons."

Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.