With up 6 layers, no wonder they’re difficult to recycle.
The aseptic packages are typically a mix of paper (70%), polyethylene (LDPE) (24%), and aluminum (6%), with a tight polyethylene inside layer.
Some carton types have plastic lids. These are commonly plastic number 2 (HDPE).
Brands
Main brands include Tetra Pak (orginally Swedish), SIG Combibloc (Swiss), Elopak (Norwegian) and Evergreen (American).
![](https://research.ecomakery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/beverage-cartons-1.png)
Reuse
UBC
UBC is an abbreviation of Used Beverage Carton. According to Tetra Pak Indonesia, UBC isn’t considered as garbage, but materials that can still be utilised as part of a Value Chain System. On the whole this seems to refer to recycling, but can also be upcycling as shown in these workshops.
Advice from Tetra Pak Indonesia: Do the 3F steps (Flip-Flap-Flatten):
- Flip – Open the packaging fold. Empty the contents and wash thoroughly.
- Flap – Place the straw in the package so that it is recycled together
- Flatten – Remove the packaging into a separate waste bin
In Malay this is the 3 l’s – Lipat, Letak, Lekas which translates as ‘fold, lay, fast’.
I’m surprised at how good this composite is to use as a raw material. It doesn’t deteriorate, it resists humidity, doesn’t stain, and it is hard. And every day, we throw thousands of them away.
Sergio Pérez Rocamora, TreTraTrik Design
Recycling
Beverage carton producers have pledged to make cartons from 100% renewable and recycled material and cut down on their plastic consumption by 2030 to increase their sustainability and help meet global climate goals.
However, as the materials are stuck together, they are generally difficult to recycle and in many countries end up being landfilled, incinerated or burned for energy. LPB isn’t made into another drinks carton, so technically it’s downcycled.
The recovered materials from recycling are either downcycled or made into products that are unrecyclable. Paperboard can be made into Kraft paper, newsprint or recycled paper products. Polyethylene and aluminium, known as Polyal, can be made into roofing sheets, collection boxes for UBC, park benches, bus shelters, recycled pallets and more.
In the UK they have a recycling rate reported to be around 50 per cent, – although this has been contested by industry experts who believe it could be as low as 29.5 per cent. Currently, they go straight in the cardboard bin when finished where they take longer to be pulped than standard cardboard, and using more energy.
New research (2020) commissioned by Zero Waste Europe to Eunomia Research & Consulting has revealed that the actual beverage carton recycling rate in Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK is far below what is currently being reported.
Alternatives
- Firstly, consider using 100% reusable packaging; and
- Consider using materials that are mono-material/easier to recycle (e.g. recycled-PET bottles)
Properties
- High stiffness
- Strong wet sizing
- High barrier coating
- Normally heat sealed
Sources