Is your thinking outdated? 4 common carton recycling myths debunked

No one wants to feel like their thinking is outdated, but some misconceptions persist longer than many people realize. For instance, if you believe food and beverage cartons have a wax layer, you’re holding onto an idea that hasn’t been true since John F. Kennedy was in office.

Food and beverage cartons are used for safely storing a variety of popular foods and drinks. Head to any convenience or grocery store and you’ll find many products are packaged in cartons, including milk, juice, beans, soups, water and wine. These cartons are lightweight, efficient and made primarily from paper, a valuable renewable resource.

Given their widespread use, it’s important to stay informed about the truth of recycling food and beverage cartons. The Carton Council debunks these four carton recycling myths, so you can learn how to properly recycle cartons and share the truth with others.

1. Myth: Cartons can’t be recycled

Fact: According to a 2024 national survey, 71% of consumers believe cartons are definitely or probably recyclable. So, what about the remaining 29% that don’t know cartons are recyclable? It might stem from a common misconception that all cartons are made with wax, which can’t be recycled.

It’s true that at one point some food and beverage cartons were made with wax to make them sturdier for transportation and shelving. However, cartons have not contained any wax since the early 1960s!

Modern cartons contain no wax and are primarily made of paper, with small amounts of plastic and sometimes aluminum, in the case of shelf-stable cartons. These layers protect contents and keep light and oxygen out, allowing them to remain safe without the need for preservatives or refrigeration. Despite no longer containing wax, cartons remain strong enough to store liquids and other foods, whether they are the type found in refrigerators or the shelf-stable kind that store products for long periods at room temperature.

2. Myth: Recycling doesn't matter

Fact: Every recycled item helps create a more sustainable future! When you recycle a carton, you’re helping keep them out of the landfill, reducing waste, conserving resources and protecting the environment.

Recycled cartons can have a second life as new paper products — such as tissue or toilet paper — or be made into sustainable building materials. As protecting the earth’s natural resources and the climate becomes increasingly important, recycling is one easy way everyone can help.

3. Myth: Recycling cartons is difficult

Fact: Recycling cartons at home can be as easy as 1-2-3! When you finish a food or beverage carton:

1. Empty any remaining liquid.

2. Replace the cap or push the straw back into the carton.

3. Toss the carton into the recycling bin.

In three simple steps, you can help preserve natural resources, reduce climate impact and actively help to reduce litter.

4. Myth: My area doesn't recycle cartons, so I should toss them

Fact: According to the Carton Council, 62% of U.S. households can recycle food and beverage cartons through local programs. If you are unsure if they are accepted where you live, check the Carton Council's address locator at RecycleCartons.com.

If your area doesn’t recycle cartons, you still have options. You can mail cartons to facilities in the Carton Council’s network that can recycle them for you. You can also sign a petition to inform your local recycling program that recycling cartons is important. By adding your name to the list, you can help grow the number of facilities that recycle cartons across the nation.

Now that you know the truth about carton recycling, share this information with others! By helping debunk these myths and properly recycle food and beverage cartons, you’re doing your part to promote sustainable practices and contributing to a greener, cleaner planet.