How to Recycle Aseptic Cartons (Tetra Pak)
Multi-layer cartons for shelf-stable and refrigerated beverages, soup, and broth. Made of paper, plastic, and (for shelf-stable cartons) a thin aluminum layer - not wax, despite a common myth. Access has grown fast, but actual recycling participation still lags well behind.
Quick answer
Cartons are more recyclable than most people realize, but far fewer actually get recycled: 61% of US households have local access to carton recycling, up from 37% in 2011, yet the actual carton recycling rate is only about 20% nationally. Empty the carton (rinsing helps but isn't required), leave it in its natural shape instead of flattening it, and check your local program for whether the cap should stay on or come off - guidance on that detail genuinely varies.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Recycling code
- CARTON
- 1Empty completely
- 2Rinsing isn't required but helps avoid odor and pests
- 3Don't flatten - most sorting equipment recognizes a carton's 3D shape, and flattening can slow processing
- 4Remove straws and other loose extras and trash them
- 5Check local guidance on the cap - some programs want it left on, others want it removed
- Curbside recycling (61% of US households)
- Carton Council drop-off locator
- Municipal recycling programs
Access varies a lot by state. In California, 72% of households can recycle aseptic cartons and 74% can recycle gable-top cartons, with 68% of counties served by a sorting facility as of mid-2025. Nationally, though, the actual carton recycling rate is only about 20%, so check the Carton Council's locator or your hauler directly rather than assuming.
Cartons are mostly high-quality paper fiber (about 70% in shelf-stable cartons, 80% in refrigerated ones), which mills value for its strength. Recovered cartons become new paper products or, increasingly, building materials like roof cover board.
Are cartons wax-coated?
No, and they haven't been for decades. Modern cartons are made mostly of paper with a thin plastic layer, plus a thin aluminum layer in shelf-stable (aseptic) cartons for broth, soup, and juice. Refrigerated gable-top cartons, like traditional milk cartons, skip the aluminum.
If cartons are recyclable, why is the actual recycling rate so low?
Access and participation are different numbers. About 61% of US households can recycle cartons locally, but the actual national carton recycling rate is only around 20%. Many people either don't realize cartons are accepted in their area or assume they aren't, since carton programs are newer and less consistent than programs for cardboard or cans.
Should I leave the cap on a carton before recycling it?
Guidance genuinely differs by program. Some say leave the plastic cap on so the carton keeps its shape through sorting; more recent consumer guidance from some recyclers says remove caps, straws, and other loose extras and trash them. Check your local program's instructions rather than assuming either rule applies everywhere.
Recycling centers that accept Aseptic Cartons (Tetra Pak)
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept aseptic cartons (tetra pak). Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.