In the first quarter of 2014, the ability to recycle beverage and food cartons was provided to more than one million households across the nation. This latest enhancement in municipal recycling services brings the total amount of residences with carton recycling opportunities to almost fifty seven million.

Nearly all states offer carton recycling: South Dakota joined the list last year at number forty six and other states, such as New York and Ohio, which have had carton recycling in place for years, enhanced recycling services to increase the overall number of eligible households. Additional services have also been provided in Tampa, Florida and Memphis, Tennessee specifically for carton recycling. The Carton Council of North America hopes that with these gains in recycling accessibility, carton recycling will reach the fifty five percent mark nationwide.

In 2013, carton recycling was adopted by two states and increased just slightly over sixteen percent. Carton manufacturers, who frequently can utilize recycled material in the production of new cartons, contribute the increase in recycling to educating consumers, providing accessible recycling opportunities to residents and businesses, and the support of local governments and businesses to make recycling and waste reduction a priority. Consumer access to carton recycling has increased one hundred and sixty percent in four years and that increase is reflected in the total weight of cartons being sent for recycling instead of landfills.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Is carton recycling readily available in your city or town? Take a moment to review your state and local government’s list of recyclable materials and make sure you’re correctly distinguishing your waste materials from your waste recycling. Staying informed will help you save money in disposal costs and keep valuable materials out of landfills!