How to Recycle Food Cartons

Artwork credit: David FenigsteinRecycling Tip of the Week: Cartons Go in COMMINGLED Recycling (NOT with paper)

Beverage and liquid food cartons like milk and soup cartons as well as juice boxes and ice cream containers should be placed in commingled recycling, NOT in paper recycling. In order to be leak-proof, these containers are lined with a plastic film. During the recycling process, the plastic lining is separated from the paper fiber which can then be recycled into new paper products, including tissues, paper towels and office paper. The plastic that is collected is also recycled into such products as pallets, tiles and crates. Another carton recycling option that is gaining momentum converts the whole carton into construction materials.