Carton Council urges Americans to remember cartons on America Recycles Day

With America Recycles Day approaching Nov. 15, the Carton Council of North America reminds Americans that more than 65 million U.S. households can recycle food and beverage cartons in their residential recycling programs.

Since the start of 2015, more than 3 million American households have had cartons added to their local recycling programs, the Carton Council says.

“Cartons are quickly becoming a mainstream recyclable material, thanks to tireless efforts by countless stakeholders who are working hard to increase the recycling of cartons nationwide,” says Jason Pelz, vice president of recycling projects, Carton Council of North America, and vice president, environment, Tetra Pak Cluster Americas. “Cartons represent some of the highest quality fiber in the residential recycling stream, and they are recycled into printing and writing paper, tissues, paper towels and even green building materials.”

The Carton Council is a group of carton manufacturers that joined forces to grow carton recycling in the U.S. In 2009 when the Carton Council first formed, residential recycling access for cartons was at 18 percent. Now, nearly 56 percent of American households have access to carton recycling, the organization says.  

Because cartons are a newer recyclable compared to aluminum cans and plastic bottles, infrastructure must be established before robust recycling can gain momentum. As access continues to grow, so do end market solutions for recovered cartons, the Carton Council says.

Pelz adds, “As additional household access is made available to more Americans, we look forward to working with companies and brands as well as communities to help ensure more consumers are actively recycling their cartons. It is with the support of so many packaging, recycling and municipal stakeholders who recognize the value of carton recycling that we can celebrate such growth this America Recycles Day.” 

Four leading carton manufacturers—Elopak, SIG Combibloc, Evergreen Packaging and Tetra Pak, as well as associate member, Weyerhaeuser—comprise the Carton Council.