Carton Recycling Information for Schools

Schools Are a Great Place to Recycle Cartons

More than four billion food and beverage cartons are consumed in schools every year. The average U.S. school of 545 students consumes around 75,000 cartons each year.

As schools work harder to drive sustainable practices and reduce the amount of waste, recycling food and beverage cartons is a win for everyone.

If your local facility accepts food and beverage cartons, we encourage you to consider adding cartons to your existing school recycling program. Even if your school doesn’t have a recycling program in place yet, we can help you get started with carton recycling.

Benefits Overview

Reduce Waste and Have a Positive Impact

Implementing food and beverage carton recycling programs at schools helps to:

  • Reduce the amount of waste generated
  • Contribute to community recycling rates
  • Create potential financial savings from fewer trash pickups
  • Teach students about environmental stewardship
  • Establish good habits — recycling at school can encourage recycling at home

Starting a Program

Bring Recycling to Your School

Looking to establish a carton recycling program? Here’s how you can get started:

1

CHECK AVAILABILITY OF CARTON RECYCLING

Ask your local materials recovery facility (MRF) and hauler to confirm that food and beverage cartons are accepted in your community. Discuss with your recycler the logistics surrounding pick up at your school(s).

2

ENGAGE WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION & STAFF

Talk with the team of administrators, teachers, principals, cafeteria and custodial staff and PTA/PTO members. Discuss concerns, gain support and identify people who will help develop a program.

3

ESTABLISH
GOALS

Use estimators to calculate your program’s potential impact, assess what will be needed (including funding and equipment) and establish goals to measure success.

4

DEVELOP
PROGRAM PROCESS

Determine the set-up of recycling containers and buckets for excess liquids, location of recycling stations, instructional signage so it is clear to students how and where to place their cartons, and establish roles and responsibilities.

5

RECRUIT
ADVOCATES

Include students, create a “green team,” name a faculty/lunchroom/janitorial “champion,” and don’t forget the custodial staff. There may be parents who will volunteer to help set up the program.

6

LAUNCH
PROGRAM

Train staff on proper procedure. Have helpers aid students to recycle right. Have a principal make an announcement or hold an assembly. Encourage classroom activities to reinforce and motivate.

Schools Newsletter

Join our Mailing List

Sign up for school carton recycling news.