More and more people are taking part in recycling but many people still have questions about what they can recycle. One of the most common questions is, “Are milk cartons recyclable?” The short answer is, “Yes!” Even more exciting? All food and beverage shelf-stable cartons are recyclable! That means that even those little juice cartons (the ones you use when you’re on the go) can be recycled. Pretty cool, huh? I am going to share even more details with you on which type of packaging cartons can be recycled, how, where, and the products they can be recycled into. I hope that this information gets shared around because it is so important that we all take part in recycling and helping preserve our natural resources.
Answers To Carton Recycling Questions
This post was sponsored by the Carton Council as part of an Ambassador Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Are Milk Cartons Recyclable? Can Other Food And Beverage Cartons Be Recycled?
The short answer to both the questions is, “Yes, you can recycle milk cartons, food cartons, juice cartons, and water cartons.” Let me fill you on the details. Food and beverage cartons remain a highly under recycled category. This is because many people don’t know if they fall into the plastic, aluminum, or paper categories therefore if they can be recycled. The good news is that they can. The bad news is that you need to find the right recycling center.
There Are Two Types Of Milk Cartons:
The first type are gable-top cartons and they are sometimes called cardboard milk cartons or paper milk cartons or even waxed milk cartons. These half gallon milk cartons and other refrigerated cartons are made of paper and plastic and there are recycling methods that separate them and reuse them.
The second type is sometimes called Tetra Pak, or aseptic cartons or even drink cartons. The shelf stable cartons that can hold things like vegetable purees, soups, broths, milk, juice, and water are made mostly from paper with a thin layer of plastic and aluminum. There are recycling processes that separate and reuse the contents of these cartons as well. Even juice boxes can go through this recycling process.
Both types can be used to make new products.
You can watch a quick video about how recycled cartons become new products here:
As you saw in the video, cartons can be pressed into reusable sheets of paper pulp. A paper mill can then use this paper fiber to make paper towels, tissues, and other recycled paper products.
The cartons can also be recycled into boards used for construction using no chemicals or water! These recycled building materials are growing in popularity.
Where To Recycle Cartons
According to The Carton Council of North America , 62 percent of households in the U.S. can now recycle food and beverage cartons through curbside and drop-off programs. There has been an exciting growth in carton recycling and I am sure that will only continue as more folks learn that food and milk cartons are recyclable.
To check if carton recycling is available in your area of the United States, you can use the zip code locator at recyclecartons.com. Or you can check with your bureau of sanitation for local recycling policies.
How To Recycle Cartons
1. Empty all cartons (only empty cartons can be recycled).
2. Discard plastic caps.
3. Drop them in your kitchen recycling bin every time!
4. Bring out for Curbside Bin Recycling or bring to drop-off recycling programs. (Use the zip code locator above to find recycling facilities near you.)
Why Choose Cartons In The First Place? Cartons Are An Eco-Friendly Choice
Lots of foods and beverages come in cartons such as soup, milk, juice, wine, tomatoes, and beans. Cartons use the least amount of materials possible, to package and protect products. This helps preserve our Earth’s precious resources. Another eco-friendly feature is that cartons are lightweight and compact leading to a low carbon footprint for shipping.
Aseptic packages also prevent the need for refrigeration before opening. This is a very eco-friendly choice for food storage and beverage products. Plus, a flattened carton fits well in your recycling cart.
If you look in your pantry right now, I bet you come out with an assortment of cartons. Recycling cartons is a great way to reduce unnecessary waste in landfills. The Carton Council is committed to building a sustainable infrastructure for carton recycling nationwide with the goal of preventing cartons from ending up in landfills. Now, that is a mission I can get behind.
If you were wondering, “Are milk cartons recyclable?”, I hope I not only answered that for you but also inspired you to recycle all your cartons! Help me spread the word! Will you add cartons to your recycling routine around your house and neighborhood?
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Melissa says
I knew about milk cartons, but your post made me wonder – are juice boxes recyclable as well? Do you know?
Scarlet says
Yes, juice cartons can be recycled. You can use the zip code locator at recyclecartons.com to see if your recycling facility accepts them.