Recycling Cartons into Resources for a Greener Future

Have you ever wondered how much we rely on cartons and what happens to those sturdy containers after we've used them? From morning coffee to evening soups, in the UK alone, over 60,000 tonnes of cartons are used every year,  By unleashing sustainable packaging solutions for different products, that are much less harmful to the earth, as opposed to plastic and glass, and along with their contribution to sustainability, not to forget that they are made from renewable materials and that they are recyclable, cartons play a crucial role in our lives. Nonetheless, after their use, those cartons are not just merely wastes that are just destined for the landfill  –  in fact they can be recycled through dedicated programs. This blog is going to concentrate on the ways in which cartons are recycled in the UK.

Why Are Cartons Recycled?

Cartons are usually lightweight, sturdy, and have been purposefully designed to preserve the freshness of their contents. Their composition generally includes 70-90% of paperboard (as it provides strength and structure), 10 – 25% of plastic (used as a layer inside to prevent leakage and outside as a barrier) and 5-10% of aluminium (used in some cartons for an additional barrier, especially for products requiring extended shelf life).

To conserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste, and lower carbon emissions, many encourage recycling cartons. In 2022 alone, the UK recycled approximately 51,000 tonnes of beverage cartons, significantly reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills. Though the complex multi-material composition presents unique challenges in the recycling process, the different layers of cartons can be separated and processed differently. However, recycling cartons in the UK are not different.

How Are Cartons Recycled?

Let’s take a sneak peek back through the different stages of recycling to find out how these humble cartons get their second shot at life!

• Check Local Recycling centre and their rules: Familiarise yourself with your local council's recycling guidelines to ensure you're recycling cartons correctly. Use online resources to find out if cartons are accepted in your area and where you can take them if they're not. Before taking them to a recycling centre, rinse out cartons to remove any residue and flatten them to save space in your recycling bin. This not only aids in the reduction of contamination but also makes the recycling process more efficient.

• Carton collection: In the UK, the collection of recyclable materials including cartons is usually managed by local authorities, each of which may have different rules and facilities. Many local councils now accept cartons as part of their kerbside recycling programs. As of 2023, over 70% of UK local authorities include cartons in their kerbside collections, allowing millions of households to recycle them conveniently.
  
  Residents can place empty cartons in their recycling bins, and these are collected along with other recyclables. If kerbside collection is not available in certain areas then "bring banks" are provided in convenient places like supermarket car parks, where residents can take their cartons for recycling. Sometimes relying on nearby specialist recycling points can be helpful for regions where regular recycling bins do not accept cartons due to a lack of processing facilities.

• Sorting: Once collected, cartons pass through several stages to be recycled and sorting comes as the first stage. The Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is the place where the cartons are sorted from other recyclables. Certain facilities make use of advanced sorting technologies, such as infrared sensors to distinguish between different types of materials, ensuring that cartons are separated for their unique recycling process.

• Pulping: Sorted cartons are sent to a recycling plant where they are shredded into smaller pieces. These pieces are then placed in large tanks filled with water in a process known as pulping. During this process, the paper fibres are separated from the plastic and aluminium layers. The water and mechanical action help to break down the paper into a pulp, which can be recycled into new paper products.

• Separation of Plastic and Aluminum: The plastic and aluminium materials that remain after pulping are removed through various techniques, such as centrifugation or flotation, depending on the facility's technology and further processed. Once separated, these materials can be recycled into different products. For instance, plastic leftovers can be recycled into plastic pellets or other products and aluminium can be processed and used in various industrial applications.

• Paper Pulp Recycling: The paper pulp extracted from cartons is a high-quality material, which can be used to produce new paper products, such as office paper, tissues, or even building materials. This reuse of paper fibres extends their lifecycle, reducing the need for virgin materials.

Carton recycling in the UK is an evolving process which is being improved and developed so as to ensure its inclusion within the recycling material stream.  By better infrastructure, technological innovation and consumer engagement we together can make sure cartons will be innovated and recycled a lot more often as another element which contributes to a sustainable future. The process supports the country's environmental sustainability goals and promotes a circular economy by repurposing materials efficiently. It also helps decrease reliance on incineration and supports local recycling industries. By understanding the process and taking proactive steps, we can all play a part in reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. Encourage friends, family, and your community to recycle cartons. The more people who participate, the greater the environmental benefits we can achieve.