Laurin Rinder / Shutterstock.com Wax Paper Compost Laurin Rinder / Shutterstock.com Recycle Only the Box Remove the little strip of metal teeth before placing the box with cardboard recycling. Break down the box and then recycle it. Ways to Reuse Clean and Reuse If the wax paper is not soiled with grease or food, you can clean and reuse it.