Where can I recycle cartons?
Use the ACE UK interactive map to find out how you can recycle cartons in your area.
Frequently asked questions
If you cannot find the answer to your question in this section please email ACE UK at enquiries@ace-uk.co.uk
What are cartons made from?
Cartons are made, on average, from 75% wood fibre in the form of paperboard. Thin layers of polyethylene are also required to ensure liquid security of the package. An even thinner layer of aluminium can also be used to help protect the carton’s contents over long periods. Plastic (mainly LDPE and PP) is used in closures and, as with all the other materials in the carton, is recyclable.
Why do the cartons need aluminium and polyethylene layers?
Very fine aluminium foil serves as a barrier to light, aromas, and oxygen, which enables the contents to last for months without preservatives or refrigeration. The polyethylene acts as a water-tight barrier. It is this resource-efficient combination that allows paperboard to be used as the main material.
Where does the wood fibre come from that goes into my carton?
The Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway and Finland provide the vast majority of the wood used to produce paperboard for cartons in Europe. The rest comes from the Baltics, South America, Russia (although this is decreasing) and other countries such as the UK. All of the wood is traceable to legal and acceptable sources.
Where can I recycle my cartons?
ACE UK has worked hard to ensure that almost 90% of local authorities collect cartons. At the moment the majority of these are through bring banks but a growing number now offer kerbside collection and we are pursuing this further. Use our interactive map opposite to find your facilities.
Do I have to remove the caps before recycling?
No. The caps can be left on. They will be removed in the recycling process. However, it's helpful to wash and and then squash your carton. The washing helps reduce contamination and squashing means that less space is taken up in the bins, reducing overflow.
Where do the collected cartons go?
Currently, cartons collected in the UK are principally being recycled in paper mills in Northern Europe, particularly the Orebro Mill in Sweden. We look to reduce the impact of the transport by using containers that have shipped goods to the UK from Sweden and would otherwise return empty.
Is there a UK mill that could be used?
The Smith Anderson mill in Fife used to be able to recycle all cartons collected in the UK, but it had to close in 2006 due largely to the effects of significantly increased energy costs on their main paper recycling business.
Since the closure of Smith Anderson, we have guaranteed that the collection and recycling of all post-consumer beverage cartons has continued uninterrupted. This is the most important thing in helping residents across the UK to recycle as much of their packaging as possible.
Is there a waxy coating on your cartons? Does that make them hard to recycle?
No, there is no wax in cartons and they are not hard to recycle. There are various modern mills in Europe that easily recycle cartons. Unfortunately, the technology/equipment in most UK mills cannot at present cope with large volumes of cartons. We are continuing to trial carton recycling at a number of UK facilities and hope to have a UK recycling capacity soon.