If there’s one thing Hobokenites can agree on, it’s that pizza is one of our basic food groups. Thin-crust, wood-fired, deep-dish – it’s all delicious. Another thing we can agree on is that getting rid of a pizza box is one of life’s eternal mysteries: is it recyclable? Across the river in Manhattan, Central Park has launched specially designed trash cans for pizza boxes. Our team has been debating for a while — and wanted to officially find out whether pizza boxes could be recycled in Hoboken. Read on for more about the special trash cans and how to dispose of pizza boxes in Hoboken.
About the Trash Cans
The Central Park Conservancy, the non-profit organization that maintains the park, announced a pilot program of specially designed garbage cans meant to fit pizza boxes. One bin has been installed near the Great Lawn in advance of picnic season, according to a statement from a representative. The pizza boxes are then recycled by the New York City Department of Sanitation, but the special bins help corral the bulky boxes before pickup, according to NBC4NY.
“The traditional circular waste bins are simply not designed to accommodate the boxes, leading to jammed cans that can attract rodents. By the end of the summer, the Conservancy will evaluate the pilot to see if it should expand to other Park locations,” the organization shared via a statement. “This is just one initiative that the Conservancy is working towards to achieve zero waste in Central Park. The goal is to differentiate waste streams, recycle more effectively and send less materials to landfill waste. “
^The pizza recycling bin, on the far right, next to two trash cans by the Great Lawn in Central Park. Photo Credit: Central Park Conservancy.
We found a similar recycling bin available online for approximately $2000, from a Vermont-based company called Recycle Away. “The Pizza Box Recycler was developed in order to prevent pizza boxes from clogging up the recycling streams. It is a common misconception that since pizza boxes are made out of cardboard, they can be recycled together with other mixed materials. In actuality, the oils from pizza hamper the recycling process since they cause unnecessary contamination throughout the recycling process. In order to prevent clogging of waste bins, keep pizza boxes out of them,” the listing reads.
Read More: Where to Get Pizza Dough in Hoboken + Jersey City
A Wisconsin-based company offers a pizza box recycling bin that can be paired with a compost bin and other customizable options. A Canadian company, Clean River Recycling Solutions, offers a pizza box recycling bin, saying that the bin can be used to “avoid bottlenecks in your recycling stream.”
Cardboard Pizza Boxes – Recyclable or Not?
The Washington Post recently tackled this question, examining popular myths about garbage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pizza boxes are recyclable. Per the agency’s website, “Pizza boxes can be recycled, even if they have grease in them. Make sure to remove any food scraps from the box and flatten it before placing it in the bin.”
WestRock, a corrugated packaging company, shared a scientific study where different levels of grease from cheese were measured to determine the cardboard’s recyclability. The study, Incorporation of Post-Consumer Pizza Boxes in the Recovered Fiber Stream Impacts of Grease and Cheese on Finished Product Quality, was published in 2020 and concluded that there was no significant reason why grease-stained cardboard from pizza boxes couldn’t be recycled. Cheese bits, grease, and other non-cardboard elements would be removed from the cardboard through the recycling process.
View this post on Instagram
It would seem that while pizza boxes themselves are inherently recyclable, not every recycling processor can handle it.
Hoboken Pizza Box Recycling
For as many pizza places as we have in Hoboken, it seems as if this is a problem that would have been solved already. Hoboken spokesperson Marilyn Baer said, “In Hudson County, pizza boxes are not considered recyclable material as they are typically soiled with grease stains or food.”
The Hudson County Improvement Authority website says “Pizza boxes are typically soiled with oil and grease from their delicious contents. This grease can wreak havoc on recycling machines and won’t be accepted. Pizza boxes should be placed in the garbage.”
See More: Your Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in Montclair
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says it’s a bit more nuanced than a yes/no answer.
“It depends. Some local programs may accept pizza boxes, while others will not. While pizza boxes are typically made of recyclable corrugated cardboard, the problem with recycling these boxes is the food and grease residue that soils and remains in the box. The grease and oil is particularly problematic in the paper recycling process. Those programs that do accept pizza boxes usually instruct residents to tear off and dispose of those portions of the box that are stained with grease and food and to recycle the remaining clean portions of the box. It is important, however, to first check with your local recycling program prior to adding these boxes into your recycling container so that you do not unknowingly “contaminate” your load of recyclable materials with unacceptable materials.”
For more breaking pizza news, follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Hoboken and Jersey City happenings, and sign up for our newsletter that shares all of our top stories to your inbox here.
18 Unique Workout Classes to Try in Hoboken + Jersey City
There’s something so repetitive about this time of year. The fun of the holidays is over and we’re all back to the regular grind, but without the twinkling lights and upbeat music. A new workout class is a good way to mix up the routine. We’ve taken a look at the best and most creative fitness activities in Hoboken and Jersey City to see what can shake us out of the post-holiday slump. Keep reading to learn about workout classes that make you jump, sweat, and get your groove on as well as stay healthy in Hoboken and Jersey City.
Private Staff Belay at The Gravity Vault | 1423 Clinton Street, Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
Crawling up the wall in a good way is what this indoor rock gym is all about. During this one-hour private session, staff members belay (manage) the ropes during the climb. The class allows up to four people, and all equipment is provided. Just bring water and a sense of adventure.
Kickboxing Class at CKO Kickboxing | 900 Madison Street Suite 2, Hoboken + 150 Bay Street, Jersey City
View this post on Instagram
Kickboxing is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise and total body workout. CKO welcomes beginners and people of all fitness levels. The gym also has group classes, personal training, and individual promotions. Go kick butt and some really heavy bags in 2025.
Read More: This Jersey City Woman + Hoboken Trainer is Dominating The Fitness Space
Jazz Class at The Studio at Hoboken | 251 1st Street, Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
This studio bills itself as “the first and only dance studio just for adults.” The Studio at Hoboken has a class where students will learn the basics of jazz. Former dancers who need a refresher and those new to dance are welcome. All classes are taught by New York professional dancers.
Small-Group Training — Full Body at Project Sculpt | 319 Washington Street 2nd Floor, Hoboken
This 50-minute class is built on short interval work using a Bosu Ball, kettlebells, TRX, and other techniques. The class targets specific muscles and is combined with cardio work to help define your body shape. All Project Sculpt trainers have a background in personal training, focused on body transformation.
Surya Hot Flow at Surya Yoga Academy | 618 Washington Street, Hoboken + 341 Grove Street, Jersey City
The high temperatures used in hot yoga enhance muscle suppleness and release the body’s toxins. The Surya Hot Flow class is a powerful cardio and yoga workout. Instructors will work with beginners to modify intermediate poses. Prior yoga experience is recommended.
Tramp Stamp at Jane Do | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken + 160 Newark Avenue 3rd Floor, Jersey City
Participants will feel like a kid again after this trampoline-based class. Tramp Stamp is a low-impact, 50-minute cardio class for increased energy and circulation. Attendees use mini trampolines to make moves and for sculpting, lifting, and toning. This class is sometimes taught outside.
Zapp Class at Zapp Fitness | 84 Washington Street, Hoboken
This unique class combines weight training and High-Intensity Intervals. It is broken down into three segments: first is a warm-up with a light workout. The next segment includes intervals AMRAP or EMOM. It ends with the segment “Strength Stations.” Zapp Fitness welcomes students of all different kinds of levels.
Guns, Buns, + Lungs at Ironbound Performance Athletics | 334 2nd Street, Jersey City
A class name like this is hard to resist. This flagship group class at this facility includes 50 minutes of intense, full-body, and functional strength movements. People of all ages and fitness levels are welcome.
MEGA-STRIDE at MEGA | 150 Bay Street 2nd Floor, Jersey City
This boutique fitness club focuses on the Lagree Method, “a high intensity, low impact, core-focused, muscular endurance, and strength training workout.” In MEGA-STRIDE, MEGA’s signature class, the use of EVO, the most advanced Lagree Megaformer, and the “world’s fastest treadmill” are combined.
Yin + Sound Healing Class at YogaRenew | 12 Hudson Place 2nd Floor, Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
This class at YogaRenew combines both yoga and sound. Students will learn how to find stillness within themselves and develop flexibility. Equipment like blocks, blankets, bolsters, and other props will be used to support the body during the session. When nearing the end of the class, there will be a 20-minute live crystal singing bowl sound bath in the resting position of your choice.
Signature O.G. Class at Rumble Boxing | 1202 Shipyard Lane, Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
To put strength to the test, this class at Rumble Boxing is a 10-round boxing-inspired strength training session. Each 3-minute round includes HIIT, or known as high-intensity interval training. In between, there are recovery moments to boost students’ cardio levels.
Crossfit Class at Crossfit Hoboken | 50 Marshall Street, Hoboken
Crossfit Hoboken welcomes members to partake in this 60-minute-long class. It is a complete full-body workout that uses weights and physical movements like running, jumping, pulling, and pushing. Also, for this specific class, the team changes up the exercise combinations for the workout to have effective results on the body.
Reformer Flow Class at Club Pilates | 171 Morgan Street, Jersey City + 1400 Hudson Street Suite 3C, Hoboken
Pilates is a strength training form of exercise, but Club Pilates creates a twist to it in its Reformer Flow class. It strengthens and lengthens the entire body while learning how to keep your balance and coordination. The class starts with the reformer equipment and then shifts to a springboard. There is also the use of a chair and mat during the session.
Brazilian Zouk + Salsa Dance Classes at JC Zouk | 54 Coles Street, Jersey City
JC Zouk is a dance non-profit that has Brazilian Zouk and Salsa classes at Grassroots Community Space on Mondays and Tuesdays. These hands-on lessons are open to all levels and rooted in the love of community. The JC Zouk team told HG “We have a general philosophy about learning social dance that differs from typical dance studios. We just love to dance & sharing it with the local dance community!”.
Springboard Class or Private Sessions at Ken Pilates | 706 Washington Street + 706 Grand Street, Hoboken
Ken Pilates provides both private and group sessions for clients. From group classes titled “Hot Springs”, “SpringSculpt Method™” and “ZenSculpt™,” there's a little something for everyone at all levels. Group classes at Ken Pilates take place at the 706 Washington Street location while private sessions take place at the 706 Grand Street studio.
Warm Candlelit Yin Yoga at Powerflow Yoga | 160 Morgan Street Suite 5, Jersey City
Yin Yoga is a great way to unwind and relax while getting a good stretch in. Holding longer poses and focusing on breathing techniques while in a warm, candle-lit room is a calming contrast to the usual workout class. Powerflow Yoga hosts this class in the evenings and invites clients of all levels.
See More: 13 Locally-Owned Fitness Studios in New Jersey
Rowing Class at Row House | 70 Hudson Street Suite 125, Jersey City
Rowing can help build endurance and muscle strength all while honing in on resistance training. Row House classes encapsulate a full body, low-impact workout that stands out from the usual form of cardio. Row House's strategies are backed by science and set the scene with low lighting and loud music to immerse clients into their flow.
HIIT Classes at BFT | 770 Jackson Street, Hoboken
BFT was founded by fitness industry veteran, Cameron Falloon back in 2017. Since then his business has expanded all the way from Melbourne, Australia across the world, and even landed a location right here in Hoboken. This group-style fitness studio is curated by experts and includes a variety of HIIT style workouts including "Power", "Crewfit", "Pump", "Shred", "Balanced", "Cardio HIIT", and "Strength" to focus on different fitness goals.
