Carton Recycling in the U.S.: How Collaboration and Innovation Drive Success
Fifteen years ago, most food and beverage cartons were simply discarded. At the time, recycling programs rarely accepted them, consumers were unsure whether they could be recycled, and recovered materials held little value for end markets.
That landscape has changed significantly. Today, the majority of U.S. households can recycle food and beverage cartons, either through curbside programs or designated drop-off locations. Industry initiatives have helped establish stronger end markets, improve sorting technologies, and educate consumers, making carton recycling widely accessible. What began as a small initiative has now become a model of progress within the recycling industry.
Carton recycling didn’t emerge overnight—it developed through sustained effort, collaboration, and local problem-solving.
Jason Pelz, VP of Sustainability for Tetra Pak in the U.S. and Canada, identifies 2017 as a key turning point. That year, cartons met the Federal Trade Commission’s 60% household access threshold*, enabling them to be officially labeled as “recyclable.”
“That milestone was only possible because of all the smaller steps along the way,” Pelz notes. “Every new end market or materials recovery facility—commonly called an MRF—that started accepting cartons marked meaningful progress.”
These incremental gains created momentum as cities expanded their programs, sorting capacity increased, and demand for recycled materials grew. Gradually, what began as a local effort evolved into a nationwide success story.
Connecting the carton recycling chain
Turning cartons into a recycling success required more than improved sorting or consumer campaigns. It demanded industry-wide coordination to ensure packaging suppliers, communities, haulers, MRFs, and end markets worked together.
Jordan Fengel, Executive Director of the Carton Council, explains that this alignment was critical. “End markets need a reliable supply of materials, and MRFs won’t invest in sorting without clear demand,” he says. “Both rely on communities and haulers to collect recyclables consistently.”
Industry partners collaborated to close these gaps. Carton suppliers focused on designing recyclable packaging and tracking material flow. Communities incorporated cartons into local recycling programs, haulers collected them regularly, and MRFs upgraded sorting technologies. End markets then purchased post-consumer carton bales and turned them into new products. Each improvement reinforced the next, expanding carton recycling from small pilots to a widely accepted practice.
Sustaining this progress requires ongoing investment and commitment from all stakeholders. “Carton recycling is no longer an aspiration,” Fengel emphasizes. “Every day, communities collect cartons, MRFs sort them into dedicated bales, and end markets transform them into valuable new products like paper and building materials.”
Pelz adds that consistency and persistence were crucial. “We collaborated with end markets to build demand, supported MRFs in handling cartons, and assisted communities with outreach once access was available,” he says. “Long-term, strategic investment made large-scale carton recycling possible.”
From ‘Check Locally’ to Widely Recyclable
Meeting the FTC’s 60% access threshold did more than validate carton recycling—it enabled clearer labeling and strengthened consumer confidence.
Pelz notes that achieving this required direct engagement with end markets and MRFs to address challenges and create practical solutions. “Some end markets needed more information, others received small grants for equipment, and a few wanted proof that the system could work,” he explains. MRFs received tailored support, facility by facility, since each operates differently. Every step contributed to expanding carton recycling nationwide.
Brands also play a critical role in the recycling chain. Clear and accurate recycling instructions on packaging, even as simple as a logo, guide consumers on proper disposal.
Pelz emphasizes that improving packaging recyclability is a long-term endeavor. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” he says. “Real progress requires persistence, creativity, financial and human resources, and a willingness to experiment and keep investing.”
Cartons as a Model of Design and Partnership
Looking forward, Fengel says carton recycling is now well-established and offers opportunities for further growth. By sharing information and best practices, new markets can adopt effective recycling systems more quickly.
Pelz predicts that continued collaboration across packaging sectors will drive even greater progress. “Many packaging groups share MRFs and end markets. Aligning goals and exchanging ideas makes the system stronger than working alone,” he says.
Cartons demonstrate that progress in recycling depends on both thoughtful design and coordinated infrastructure. When all parts of the recycling chain evolve together, everyone benefits.
That landscape has changed significantly. Today, the majority of U.S. households can recycle food and beverage cartons, either through curbside programs or designated drop-off locations. Industry initiatives have helped establish stronger end markets, improve sorting technologies, and educate consumers, making carton recycling widely accessible. What began as a small initiative has now become a model of progress within the recycling industry.
Carton recycling didn’t emerge overnight—it developed through sustained effort, collaboration, and local problem-solving.
Jason Pelz, VP of Sustainability for Tetra Pak in the U.S. and Canada, identifies 2017 as a key turning point. That year, cartons met the Federal Trade Commission’s 60% household access threshold*, enabling them to be officially labeled as “recyclable.”
“That milestone was only possible because of all the smaller steps along the way,” Pelz notes. “Every new end market or materials recovery facility—commonly called an MRF—that started accepting cartons marked meaningful progress.”
These incremental gains created momentum as cities expanded their programs, sorting capacity increased, and demand for recycled materials grew. Gradually, what began as a local effort evolved into a nationwide success story.
Connecting the carton recycling chain
Turning cartons into a recycling success required more than improved sorting or consumer campaigns. It demanded industry-wide coordination to ensure packaging suppliers, communities, haulers, MRFs, and end markets worked together.
Jordan Fengel, Executive Director of the Carton Council, explains that this alignment was critical. “End markets need a reliable supply of materials, and MRFs won’t invest in sorting without clear demand,” he says. “Both rely on communities and haulers to collect recyclables consistently.”
Industry partners collaborated to close these gaps. Carton suppliers focused on designing recyclable packaging and tracking material flow. Communities incorporated cartons into local recycling programs, haulers collected them regularly, and MRFs upgraded sorting technologies. End markets then purchased post-consumer carton bales and turned them into new products. Each improvement reinforced the next, expanding carton recycling from small pilots to a widely accepted practice.
Sustaining this progress requires ongoing investment and commitment from all stakeholders. “Carton recycling is no longer an aspiration,” Fengel emphasizes. “Every day, communities collect cartons, MRFs sort them into dedicated bales, and end markets transform them into valuable new products like paper and building materials.”
Pelz adds that consistency and persistence were crucial. “We collaborated with end markets to build demand, supported MRFs in handling cartons, and assisted communities with outreach once access was available,” he says. “Long-term, strategic investment made large-scale carton recycling possible.”
From ‘Check Locally’ to Widely Recyclable
Meeting the FTC’s 60% access threshold did more than validate carton recycling—it enabled clearer labeling and strengthened consumer confidence.
Pelz notes that achieving this required direct engagement with end markets and MRFs to address challenges and create practical solutions. “Some end markets needed more information, others received small grants for equipment, and a few wanted proof that the system could work,” he explains. MRFs received tailored support, facility by facility, since each operates differently. Every step contributed to expanding carton recycling nationwide.
Brands also play a critical role in the recycling chain. Clear and accurate recycling instructions on packaging, even as simple as a logo, guide consumers on proper disposal.
Pelz emphasizes that improving packaging recyclability is a long-term endeavor. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” he says. “Real progress requires persistence, creativity, financial and human resources, and a willingness to experiment and keep investing.”
Cartons as a Model of Design and Partnership
Looking forward, Fengel says carton recycling is now well-established and offers opportunities for further growth. By sharing information and best practices, new markets can adopt effective recycling systems more quickly.
Pelz predicts that continued collaboration across packaging sectors will drive even greater progress. “Many packaging groups share MRFs and end markets. Aligning goals and exchanging ideas makes the system stronger than working alone,” he says.
Cartons demonstrate that progress in recycling depends on both thoughtful design and coordinated infrastructure. When all parts of the recycling chain evolve together, everyone benefits.
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