WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Central Park Conservancy tests recycling bin designed for pizza boxes

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

As a native New Yorker, I can testify to this - New Yorkers love their pizza.

(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER")

JOHN TRAVOLTA: (As Tony Manero) Two, two - give me two. That's good.

(SOUNDBITE OF BEE GEES' "NIGHT FEVER")

MARTIN: That's the 1977 movie "Saturday Night Fever," and it opens with John Travolta - aka Tony Manero - ordering a couple slices in Brooklyn.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Now New York has a recycling bin just for pizza boxes, which are kind of big. Margaret Asaro is with the Central Park Conservancy.

MARGARET ASARO: Generally, people want to do the right thing, and we're giving them the ability to do that.

MARTIN: It can be tough to get a pizza box into a regular recycling bin.

ASARO: We were having an issue with overflowing trash cans and piles of pizza boxes on the side of our cans.

MARTIN: Asaro says the new bin - with a V-necked opening - makes it easy to slide in a pizza box.

ASARO: So we'll be monitoring how effective they are in the park. We've set them up in an area that we know is a very popular place for parties and ball games and gatherings, where we generally see a lot of pizza boxes.

INSKEEP: Now, in case you're wondering, yes, boxes with grease spots or congealed cheese can be recycled. We're told there's so far only one recycling bin in place - one for 8 million New Yorkers - but they are heading for more. The special bin costs about $1,500, but never mind the cost.

ASARO: And to us, it was a worthwhile investment, because it really eliminates a maintenance issue that we have.

MARTIN: The conservancy will decide whether to expand the program after Labor Day. Steve, I know you're fancy, but I take it you're not getting one of these boxes.

INSKEEP: I'm just hungry. I'm hungry - never mind the box.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info