J&B Recycling Knowledge

Did you know the UK produces nearly 82 million tonnes of packaging waste every year? Cartons—used for milk, juice, and soups—play a big part in these numbers. While they offer convenience and keep food fresh, their environmental impact is a growing concern. Thankfully, there’s a brighter side: carton recycling is becoming easier and more accessible.

The Rise of Carton Packaging

Cartons have become a staple in everyday life due to their convenience, durability, and ability to extend the shelf life of perishable goods. However, as their usage has increased, so have concerns about their environmental impact, particularly regarding disposal and recycling.

Challenges of Carton Recycling

Cartons are made of layers—mainly paperboard (made from wood pulp), plastic (polyethylene), and sometimes aluminium. Separating these materials used to be a real challenge, but advances in recycling technology have changed that. Now, recycling cartons is simpler, and more local councils in the UK are encouraging people to recycle them responsibly.

Here's How to Check;

- Check with Your Local Council: Many areas accept cartons in kerbside recycling schemes, but not all. Look up the rules in your area.

- Read the Label: Most cartons come with recycling symbols. If the label’s unclear, guides like Recycling Symbols Explained can help.

- Prepare Your Cartons: Make sure they’re empty, clean, and dry before putting them in the bin. A quick rinse is all it takes.

Fortunately, the UK has made significant strides in carton recycling. Technological advancements and a heightened focus on sustainability have streamlined the process, making carton recycling more practical and economically feasible.

How are cartons recycled?

At the mill the baled cartons are dropped into a pulper, similar to a giant domestic food mixer, filled with water, and pulped for around 20 minutes. This breaks down the packaging to produce a grey-brown mixture. The aluminium foil and polyethylene are separated from the fibre, which is recovered to make new paper products, whilst the remaining mix of plastic and aluminium can then be used in furniture, to generate energy or even separated out into pure aluminium and paraffin.

Tetra Pak approved Contractor

Making Carton Recycling Easier

Since 2007, J&B Recycling has worked with Tetra Pak and ACE UK to create better carton recycling systems. Here’s what we do:

• Collections: We gather cartons from schools, businesses, and local council sites across the North East and Scottish Borders.
• Processing: Our facilities in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, and Washington handle and bale cartons before sending them to paper mills for recycling.
• Coverage: We serve areas like Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Sunderland, North Tyneside, and Northumberland.

J&B Recycling offers comprehensive waste management solutions for businesses across the North of England. Our main Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is located in Hartlepool, with a second site in Middlesbrough, strategically positioned to serve the Teesside area, including Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, and Darlington. We also operate from a site in Washington and run well-established collection routes throughout Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Sunderland, North Tyneside, and Northumberland. If you’re looking for reliable waste collection services, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help!