What are beverage cartons recycled into?

Beverage cartons are made from two or three main materials, depending on whether the carton is for long or short shelf-life products:

• paperboard made from wood fibre (typically 75%)
• low density polyethylene (typically 21%)
• aluminium foil (typically 4%, only in long-life or aseptic packages)

All of the materials used in the manufacture of beverage cartons are recyclable at end of life, helping to reduce the use of virgin materials and cut carbon emissions.

The high-quality wood fibres in cartons are long and strong, and can be recycled up to six times, making them a valuable raw material for new paper and board products, such as high-end boxes, carrier bags, envelopes, office stationery and cores.

The aluminium and plastic can either be recycled together, into composite materials and cement for example, or separately to produce products including paraffin wax (from the plastic) or aluminium flakes for new products, such as cars. Alternatively the plastic and aluminium can be used for energy recovery.