How-To 4 min read · 2026-10-10

Are Milk & Juice Cartons Recyclable?

Milk, juice and broth cartons are recyclable in a majority of the US — but they trip people up because they're a mix of paper and plastic and the prep rules are a little different from cans and bottles. Here's what cartons are made of, how to prep them, and how to check if your area takes them.

Yes — Both Carton Types

Two kinds of cartons are recyclable where programs accept them: gable-top cartons (the peaked refrigerated milk and juice cartons) and aseptic cartons (the shelf-stable boxes for juice, broth, soup and plant milks). According to the Carton Council, about 61% of US households have access to carton recycling. At the mill, cartons are pulped to recover their paper fiber, which becomes tissue, paper towels and building materials.

Paper or Plastic Bin?

Cartons are mostly paper — a gable-top carton is roughly 80% paper and 20% plastic (a thin polyethylene coating), while an aseptic carton averages about 74% paper, 22% plastic and 4% aluminum. But even though they're fiber-based, in a curbside program you just put them in your regular mixed/commingled recycling cart — you don't separate them into a paper-only stream. Don't bag them unless your program specifically says to.

How to Prep a Carton

Three steps: empty any remaining liquid (a quick water rinse helps; no soap needed), keep the cap on or push the straw back in so the small parts get captured instead of becoming litter, and do NOT flatten the carton — its 3D shape helps the optical sorters pick it out correctly. (A few programs ask you to flatten; follow local instructions if they differ.) Check whether your area accepts cartons using the locator at recyclecartons.com.

For a plain-English breakdown of what the numbers and arrows mean, see our guide to recycling symbols and numbers.

💡 Key Takeaways

Both gable-top (refrigerated) and aseptic (shelf-stable) cartons are recyclable where accepted
Cartons are ~80% paper but go in your regular commingled bin, not a paper-only stream
Empty, keep the cap on, and do NOT flatten (the shape helps sorting machines)
Check access at recyclecartons.com — about 61% of US homes can recycle cartons

Frequently Asked Questions

Are milk and juice cartons recyclable?

Yes, where local programs accept them — both gable-top (refrigerated) and aseptic (shelf-stable) cartons. The Carton Council says about 61% of US households have carton recycling access, but it still varies by area, so confirm with your program or the locator at recyclecartons.com.

Do cartons go in the paper or the plastic recycling?

Neither separately — put them in your regular mixed/commingled recycling bin. Cartons are mostly paper (a gable-top is ~80% paper/20% plastic; an aseptic is ~74% paper/22% plastic/4% aluminum) and are pulped for their fiber, but you don't sort them into a paper-only stream.

How do I prepare a carton for recycling?

Empty any liquid (a water rinse helps, no soap), keep the cap on or push the straw back in, and don't flatten it — the 3D shape helps optical sorters identify it. Then put it in your recycling cart. Follow your program's instructions if they say to flatten.

Does my area accept cartons?

About 61% of US households can recycle cartons, but many areas still don't. Enter your address in the locator at recyclecartons.com to check your curbside or drop-off program, then follow any local prep rules.

🔗 Related recycling resources

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