England
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Food and drink cartons are collected with plastics and cans, not with paper and card.
England-wide guidance, checked 26 Sep 2026. View the source
Drinks carton
Also called: juice carton, Tetra Pak, milk carton, oat milk carton, juice box, Capri-Sun carton
Recycle at home
National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.
Your council's answer
The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.
How to prepare it
- Empty and rinse
- Squash it flat and check whether your council wants the cap on or off
- Which bin cartons go in varies by council, so follow your council's bin
- Cartons aren't in the deposit return scheme: only PET plastic, steel and aluminium containers are
Where to take it
Place data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Get the app
Snap a photo instead of typing, and get a reminder the evening before bin day.
National rules
The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.
Scotland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Food and drink cartons usually go in with plastics and cans, not with paper and card.
Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Wales
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Rinse food and drink cartons and put them with your cans and plastics, not with paper and card.
Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Northern Ireland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Rinse food and drink cartons and put them in your recycling bin or box.
Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Rules in the rest of the UK
England
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Food and drink cartons are collected with plastics and cans, not with paper and card.
England-wide guidance, checked 26 Sep 2026. View the source
Scotland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Food and drink cartons usually go in with plastics and cans, not with paper and card.
Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Wales
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Rinse food and drink cartons and put them with your cans and plastics, not with paper and card.
Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Northern Ireland
Recycle at home
Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.
Rinse food and drink cartons and put them in your recycling bin or box.
Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
Recycle This isn't run by or endorsed by any council or the government. Councils change their services, so check anything important with your council.