Find places to recycle food and drink cartons near you
Fibre-based cartons for milk, juice, soup and other food or drink products.
Other names include drink cartons, juice cartons, milk cartons, Tetra Pak.
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Collection and take-back services
Use these services if no nearby place lists food and drink cartons.
How to recycle food and drink cartons
Empty and rinse cartons, then replace the cap if local guidance allows. Flatten them to save space.
Prepare food and drink cartons for recycling
- Empty the carton
- Rinse it
- Flatten it
What must stay out
Keep these items separate and check the site rules before you travel.
- Cartons are not plain cardboard
- Collection rules vary across the UK
- Pouches and lined paper cups need separate checks
Types of site to check
These site types can list food and drink cartons. Each provider sets its own limits and access rules.
- Recycling centres and tips
Council recycling centres accept many types of household waste. Check the council rules for booking, permits, proof of address, vehicle access and charges before travel.
- Local recycling sites
Small recycling points for selected materials. They are often in supermarket, council or community car parks, and each site has its own accepted list.
- Bring banks and recycling points
Small public recycling sites with separate containers for selected materials. They are often in supermarket, council and community car parks.
- Household waste recycling centres
Council-run sites that accept many types of household recycling and waste. Local rules can cover booking, proof of address, vehicle permits and charges for some DIY waste.
Related item guides
- Cardboard
Clean corrugated boxes, cereal boxes, card sleeves and other dry household card.
- Disposable coffee cups
Paper-based takeaway cups with a thin plastic lining.
- Plastic bottles
Empty drinks, milk, detergent, shampoo and cleaning product bottles made from accepted household plastics.
Questions about recycling food and drink cartons
- Where can I recycle food and drink cartons?
- Enter your postcode in the local finder to search recycling centres and tips and local recycling sites and bring banks and recycling points and household waste recycling centres near you. Check the provider page before you travel because item lists and access rules can change.
- How should I prepare food and drink cartons for recycling?
- Empty and rinse cartons, then replace the cap if local guidance allows. Flatten them to save space.
Sources for this guide
- Simpler recycling: household recycling in England
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Reviewed 14 August 2026
- Recycle an item
Recycle Now · Reviewed 14 August 2026