Access to recycling for food and beverage cartons has expanded across the United States, reaching 61% of households in 2025, up from 37% in 2011. New facilities and programs are boosting infrastructure, with the recycling rate now at about 20%, compared to 6% in 2009. This progress addresses longstanding challenges in processing these paper-plastic hybrids.
The Carton Council, formed in 2009, has driven substantial improvements in carton recycling. Today, over 77 million U.S. households—about 61%—can recycle food and beverage cartons locally, a nearly 240% increase since 2009. In California, 72% of households have access to aseptic carton recycling, and 74% to gable-top varieties, aided by the state's packaging Extended Producer Responsibility program (SB 54). This has expanded to 23 counties served by materials recovery facilities (MRFs) that accept cartons, up seven since April 2025.
Cartons, used for products like milk, juice, and soup, consist of layered materials: shelf-stable types average 70% paper, 25% plastic, and 5% aluminum, while refrigerated ones are 80% paper and 20% plastic. These efficient packages reduce transport emissions, with 94% product and 6% packaging by volume.
Recycling infrastructure includes new facilities like ReCB Iowa LLC in Des Moines, Iowa, which reopened in August 2025 and processes 10,000 tons of cartons annually into Everboard™ roof cover boards. ReCB California LLC in Lodi is set to handle 750 tons monthly by year's end, with plans for up to five more U.S. sites.
Paper mills also play a key role, with over 40 accepting cartons. Pratt Industries recovers more than 3 million tons of recyclables yearly across six mills. International Paper processes 7 million tons annually, and others like Greif, Sonoco, WestRock, Carotell Paperboard, and KapStone consume over 1.2 million tons of recovered fiber.
At mills, cartons are pulped to separate fibers for new paper products. Jason Pelz, VP of Sustainability for Tetra Pak, noted to WasteDive that their fiber quality makes cartons a dependable feedstock. Remaining poly/al mix finds uses in pallets, crates, and energy generation.
The Carton Council supports programs like school grants up to $5,000 for recycling setups, where only 10% of U.S. K-12 schools currently recycle cartons. U.S. mills consumed 32.7 million tons of recycled paper in 2024, up from 31.3 million in 2023. The EPA estimates expanded access could recycle an additional 38 to 45 million tons of packaging yearly.
Consumers should check local programs via the Carton Council locator, remove lids and straws, and rinse cartons if possible, without flattening them.