Many everyday food and beverage containers come in cartons. At CHaRM, these materials are accepted for recycling so they can be properly processed and made into new products.
Cartons are made from paperboard combined with thin layers of polyethylene plastic. This layered construction protects the contents inside, but it also means cartons require specialized recycling processes compared to materials made from only paper or plastic.
Common examples of cartons include soup and broth containers, drink cartons, waxed coffee cups and the plastic liners found inside cereal boxes.
When visiting CHaRM, cartons should be placed in the roll-off container located to the left of the Plasticville station. Look for the container labeled for cartons.
Caps can stay on the containers, but cartons should be emptied and clean before drop-off. Materials should also not be placed in bags. If cartons are collected in a bag at home, simply empty them into the roll-off container when you arrive. Keeping the material loose and clean helps maintain its value during the recycling process.
Cartons collected at CHaRM are sent to Smurfit Westrock where they are shredded and processed into new cartons.
Before visiting, be sure to schedule a drop-off appointment through the CHaRM website.