Carton recycling in Ontario | Circular Materials

You can now recycle cartons at home

Recycling just got easier. Food and beverage cartons can now go in your household recycling, helping you recycle more at home. Empty them, keep the cap on, and place them loose in your recycling.

Cartons 101

Cartons are a type of packaging used for many food and beverage products you can buy at the store, such as milk, juice, soup, coffee creamer and more.

Shelf-Stable cartons

Found in the dry goods aisle - no refrigeration needed before opening. Common products include juice, soy and grain milk, soup, and broth.

Refrigerated cartons

Found in the refrigerated section. Common products include milk, juice, cream, egg substitutes, soy and grain milk.

How to recycle your cartons

Empty containers.

Make sure the carton is empty and free of food residue.

Keep the lids on.

No need to remove lids, caps, or straws. These can be recycled too!

Place cartons loose in your recycling

alongside your other accepted materials. Do not bag your cartons.

Myths about carton recycling

Discover the facts behind some common carton recycling myths and learn how to recycle your cartons properly.

MYTH: Cartons have a waxy coating and therefore can’t be recycled.

FACT: Food and beverage cartons do not contain any wax. Cartons are made mainly from paper in the form of paperboard. What you may think of as “wax” on a carton is actually a thin layer of plastic.

MYTH: Cartons aren’t recyclable because they’re made of multiple materials.

FACT: Cartons are accepted in your recycling program. The multiple layers in cartons are broken down during the recycling process. The paper can be used to make new paper products and the residual plastic and aluminum can be sent on for further recycling, such as producing ceiling tiles or wallboard. In other cases, the entire carton is used to make building materials.

MYTH: You need to remove the lid or cap before recycling.

FACT: Keep lids and caps on. Recycle the whole carton together, no disassembly required.

MYTH: Cartons aren’t accepted in my community’s recycling program.

FACT: As of January 1, 2026, cartons are accepted in all communities across Ontario as part of the province’s enhanced recycling system.

Why recycling cartons matters

Recycling is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the environment. By giving materials a second life, we reduce the strain on natural resources, lower pollution, and help create a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations. It’s a simple yet meaningful step everyone can take to contribute to a more sustainable and responsible way of living.

Did you know you can recycle the same materials across the province?

On January 1, 2026, Ontario completed its transition to full Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for recycling. Extended producer responsibility, or EPR, is a policy approach in which producers – the businesses that supply packaging and paper – are financially responsible and accountable for those materials over their full life cycle.

What does that mean for residents? Recycling is now easier than ever before! Here’s what’s new:

Recycle anywhere:

No matter where you are in the province—at home, on vacation, or just passing through—you can recycle the same materials at home. No more having to determine what’s accepted in each community.

Recycle more:

You can recycle even more materials at home!

Learn more about Ontario’s new and enhanced recycling system

Find your local recycling information

Type your community name to find more information about your recycling program. If your community is not listed, please refer to your community’s website for recycling information.