Carton Council touts recycling success

The Carton Council of North America has reported that 60 percent of U.S. households can recycle food and beverage cartons through local recycling programs. With the 60 percent recycling level reached, the Carton Council says it now has the approval of the Federal Trade Commission to place the standard “Please Recycle” logo on cartons.

In heralding its recycling figures, the Carton Council notes that when it was formed in 2009 only 18 percent of households could recycle their cartons.

“This is an important milestone that could not have been achieved without the hard work and collaboration among our public and private partners," says Jason Pelz, vice president of recycling projects for the Carton Council of North America. “We share this celebration with everyone who helped to make carton recycling unequivocally mainstream.”

“This is a win for all interested in recycling,” says Nina Goodrich, director, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Charlottesville, Virginia. “We have been happy to work with the Carton Council and recognize the efforts behind this achievement. Increasing the materials that can be recycled in this country helps the environment and contributes to the circular economy.”

The council also notes that Feb. 1, 2017, it will launch a new consumer-facing website and a national digital education campaign designed to engage consumers and encourage them to recycle their cartons.

The Carton Council is composed of four carton manufacturers: Elopak, SIG Combibloc, Evergreen Packaging and Tetra Pak, as well as an associate member, Nippon Dynawave Packaging.