Ghost the Trash: Pizza Hut Teams Up with Smurfit Westrock to Increase Pizza Box Recycling in Louisville, Ky.

Rhea-AI Summary

Pizza Hut has partnered with Smurfit Westrock to promote pizza box recycling awareness in Louisville, Kentucky. Research shows that pizza boxes, including those with grease, are recyclable where infrastructure permits, with approximately 75% of U.S. residents having access to pizza box recycling. The company's boxes contain at least 35% recycled content, and they're working to educate consumers about recycling possibilities. With over 3 billion pizza boxes consumed annually in the U.S., this initiative aims to improve packaging circularity through collaboration between consumers, manufacturers, brands, and communities.

Positive

• 35% recycled content in current pizza boxes demonstrates environmental commitment
• Access to recycling infrastructure reaches 75% of U.S. population
• Partnership with major supplier Smurfit Westrock strengthens sustainability initiatives

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

This recycling awareness initiative, while environmentally conscious, has minimal direct impact on Pizza Hut's financial performance or YUM stock value. The program in Louisville is too localized to move the needle for a $38.5B market cap company. While the sustainability angle aligns with growing ESG trends, this specific initiative lacks the scale or financial materiality needed to influence investor decisions.

The 35% recycled content in pizza boxes and the potential recyclability infrastructure reaching 75% of U.S. consumers represent positive operational metrics, but these are gradual, long-term sustainability improvements rather than market-moving developments. The partnership with Smurfit Westrock, while strategically sound for environmental purposes, is unlikely to generate material cost savings or revenue growth in the near term.

The iconic pizza brand and one of its key pizza box suppliers want customers to know that pizza boxes can be recycled

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Hut, LLC has partnered with Smurfit Westrock, one of the brand's primary pizza box suppliers, to raise awareness with customers in Louisville, Ky. that their pizza boxes can be recycled. While there can be confusion surrounding this topic, research conducted by Smurfit Westrock in recent years has proven that pizza boxes can in fact be recycled, grease and all, when infrastructure in local communities allows. In fact, it's estimated that nearly 75% of people in the U.S. have access to recycling for used pizza boxes in their local community.

"At Pizza Hut, we've always been focused on giving our customers the best pizza possible and an important part of the experience is the pizza box," said Emily True, the global senior manager of sustainability at the brand. "Once our customers are done enjoying their pizza, we want them to understand how they can play an important role in making sure boxes get a second life."

Pizza Hut has a history of working to make its pizza box more sustainable. When it comes to the box itself, the brand is in a position of strength since it primarily uses corrugated cardboard which is a widely recyclable material. Of the cardboard used in the brands' pizza boxes in the U.S. at least 35% is made of recycled content. Pizza Hut is also taking on this issue through consumer education and working with groups that influence local governments and municipalities on the recyclability of cardboard pizza boxes.

Smurfit Westrock also has a long history when it comes to sustainable practices. As one of the largest producers of pizza boxes in the U.S., the company is committed to circularity in packaging, which it achieves in part by returning and recycling used corrugated material into the packaging production cycle. After all, more than 3 billion pizza boxes are consumed annually in the U.S. market. But achieving this goal requires partnership, especially with companies like Pizza Hut that can reach consumers.

"Recycling corrugated material is a fairly simple, straightforward process that contributes to improving circularity in packaging," said Kevin Hudson, senior vice president of Forestry and Recycled Fiber at Smurfit Westrock North America. "Awareness is a critical first step, but sustainable results can only be achieved when consumers, manufacturers, brands and communities work collectively to recycle pizza boxes, and we're grateful for the opportunity to work with Pizza Hut, haulers and local municipalities to improve circularity in the Louisville market."

To find local recycling guidelines, visit Pizza Box Recycling (pizzahut.com).

About Pizza Hut®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and since then has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation with the creation of icons like Original Pan® and Original Stuffed Crust® pizzas. In 1994, Pizza Hut pizza was the very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading the way in the digital and technology space with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order. Hut Rewards is open to U.S. residents 18+. See applicable terms at https://hutrewards.pizzahut.com/terms/. A global leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 19,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Through its enormous presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for team members and communities around the world.

For more information, visit www.pizzahut.com. You can remain up to date on what's happening at Pizza Hut by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

About Smurfit Westrock
Smurfit Westrock is a leading global provider of paper-based packaging solutions, with approximately 100,000 employees across 40 countries. For more information, www.smurfitwestrock.com.  

Press Contact
ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS  
pizza@abmc-us.com  

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SOURCE Pizza Hut

FAQ

Can Pizza Hut boxes be recycled with grease on them?

Yes, according to Smurfit Westrock's research, Pizza Hut boxes can be recycled even with grease, provided local recycling infrastructure supports it.

What percentage of Pizza Hut's box material is recycled content?

At least 35% of the cardboard used in Pizza Hut's pizza boxes in the U.S. is made from recycled content.

How many pizza boxes are used annually in the US market?

Over 3 billion pizza boxes are consumed annually in the U.S. market.

Where is YUM's Pizza Hut launching its box recycling initiative?

Pizza Hut is launching its box recycling awareness initiative in Louisville, Kentucky.