U.S. Carton Recycling Access Expands to 63% of Households in 2025
The Carton Council reported ongoing expansion in access to carton recycling across the United States. In 2025, close to 2.5 million more households gained the ability to recycle food and beverage cartons, representing about 1.5% of all U.S. households.
- Net household growth in 2025: 2,464,653
- Total household access by the end of 2025: 63%
- Recycling programs accepting cartons (by household): 86%
Carton recycling availability is assessed by an independent third-party organization that determines whether households are served by local recycling programs that accept cartons. Currently, 63% of U.S. households have access to carton recycling—up significantly from 18% in 2009, when the Carton Council was established. Residents can check local access using the Carton Council’s online address locator tool.
“Recycling in practice starts with access at the household level,” said Jordan Fengel, Executive Director of the Carton Council. “Residents need the option to place cartons in recycling streams before they can be sorted and processed. This progress reflects collaboration among communities, recyclers, and policymakers to improve recycling systems.”
According to The Recycling Partnership, roughly 73% of U.S. households have recycling services. Carton Council data shows cartons are accepted in most of these programs (86% by household), indicating strong compatibility with existing collection systems.
Community Partnerships Fuel 2025 Expansion
As many areas already offer recycling services, recent gains have focused on targeted program enhancements aligned with local infrastructure. Notable additions in 2025 include:
“Recycling in practice starts with access at the household level,” said Jordan Fengel, Executive Director of the Carton Council. “Residents need the option to place cartons in recycling streams before they can be sorted and processed. This progress reflects collaboration among communities, recyclers, and policymakers to improve recycling systems.”
According to The Recycling Partnership, roughly 73% of U.S. households have recycling services. Carton Council data shows cartons are accepted in most of these programs (86% by household), indicating strong compatibility with existing collection systems.
Community Partnerships Fuel 2025 Expansion
As many areas already offer recycling services, recent gains have focused on targeted program enhancements aligned with local infrastructure. Notable additions in 2025 include:
- Austin, Texas – A new MRF partnership expanded carton recycling access to about 500,000 households and supports future regional growth.
- Marion County, Florida – Outreach initiatives helped launch countywide drop-off recycling for approximately 127,000 households.
- Robeson County, North Carolina – Updated program guidance introduced countywide drop-off recycling for around 35,000 households.
- Cedar Falls, Iowa – Collaboration with city officials established drop-off access for roughly 16,000 households.
- Titusville, Florida – Updates to curbside recycling programs added cartons for about 21,000 households.
- Oregon (Statewide) – With extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation in place, improved collection guidelines expanded access to 627,000 households—a 38% increase.
“At this point, expansion occurs program by program,” said Jason Pelz, Vice President of Recycling at the Carton Council. “We work with municipalities and material recovery facilities to update accepted materials, improve sorting, and ensure cartons reach recycling markets. Each new community strengthens supply for both established and emerging end markets.”
Access remains the foundational step for an effective recycling system. The 2025 growth reflects coordinated progress across collection services, sorting facilities, and recycling operations, highlighting steady advancement in U.S. recycling infrastructure.
Access remains the foundational step for an effective recycling system. The 2025 growth reflects coordinated progress across collection services, sorting facilities, and recycling operations, highlighting steady advancement in U.S. recycling infrastructure.
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