The rats aren’t going to like this. Just in time for Labor Day weekend, NYC Parks announced the installation of square pizza box trash bins in parks across all five boroughs. The bins have proven to be effective in reducing trash overflow and the presence of unwanted pests in the city’s parks.

The first pizza box recycling bin appeared in Central Park in May as part of a pilot program. Based on the positive results so far, NYC Parks decided to install six more square pizza box bins in other parks across the city. New Yorkers can now find those boxes in Brooklyn’s Saratoga Park, Loreto Playground in the Bronx, Father Demo Square in Manhattan, Sobelsohn Playground in Queens, and Jennifer’s Playground in Staten Island.

Empty Pizza Boxes only sign

While the bin in Central Park is green, these new bins are beige with red and white checkered signs. The eye-catching signage, designed in-house by Parks, pays homage to classic checkered tablecloths used in New York pizza parlors.  

Pizza bin

As a reminder, finding a pizza box bin isn’t the only way New Yorkers can sustainably and cleanly dispose of pizza boxes. There are two ways to recycle greasy pizza boxes through the Department of Sanitation. Unlike in other cities where pizza boxes can’t be recycled, pizza boxes in New York City are accepted with residential paper/cardboard recycling. The boxes can also be placed in curbside composting bins along with all other types of food-soiled paper and food and yard scraps.

Next, check out things to do in NYC this Labor Day Weekend!