Yes, they can, but it will depend on what your local recycling center accepts. The best way to find out is to give them a call and ask if they accept ceramics, and if so, how they should be brought to their facility.
If you don’t have the option to take your ceramics to a recycling center, then you can bring your ceramic kitchenware to a thrift store and donate it there. This, of course, applies to items that are still usable.