A new waste recycling innovation is starting this month in Des Moines, Iowa. In a collaborative effort between schools, the residential Metro Waste Authority, and a local recycled goods manufacturer, aseptic cartons can now be placed in the recycling bin.

This change from waste disposal to recycling will divert close to 375 tons of milk and juice box waste from landfills annually.

Greenstar Recycling, which handles recycling for Des Moines, is utilizing an infrared machine with the ability to identify the slick coating that milk and juice cartons contain. These cartons will then be purchased by ReWall Co., a local company which manufactures building materials from polyethylene-coated cartons and cups.

Des Moines is a part of a single-stream waste recycling system, which means all recyclable materials are co-mingled and then sorted at designated facilities. It is uncertain if this new effort will result in job creation at this time, but it is expected that up to three tons of cartons will pass through the facility each month. City officials are clear that the new recycling stream for aseptic containers would not have happened without ReWall’s market demand and the technology advances available through Greenstar.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Is waste recycling of aseptic cartons available in your area? If not, this could be a great opportunity to expand business while helping to divert garbage from landfills!