The claim printed on the base
The box says it is recyclable, and technically it is. But the board is only recyclable before it has been coated, printed and covered in grease. Once a hot, oily pizza has sat in it for an hour, most recycling streams will reject it.
What the claim actually covers
The symbol refers to the board substrate, not the finished box in use. A kraft box with no white flood uses less ink and less bleaching — a real saving — but the end-of-life story is almost the same as a white box once it is greased.
Where kraft genuinely wins
Cost and look. Unbleached board is cheaper than a white box with a flood coat, and the natural surface reads as premium and handmade. If your brand wants the eco look without making a claim you cannot stand behind, kraft is the honest choice.