J&B Recycling Knowledge

Beverage cartons – often known by the leading brand name Tetra Pak – are a familiar sight in homes, schools, workplaces and hospitality venues. They are widely used to package everyday drinks such as fruit juice, milk, smoothies and plant-based alternatives, thanks to their convenience, durability and ability to keep products fresh.

At J&B Recycling, we’ve been recovering beverage cartons for many years at our state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Hartlepool. Through our longstanding partnership with Tetra Pak, and with the recent installation of a cutting-edge robotic sorting arm, we’re making it easier for local authorities and businesses across the North East to recycle cartons and contribute to a more sustainable future.

What are beverage cartons made from?

Although beverage cartons may look like simple cardboard containers, they are actually made from a carefully engineered mix of materials. A typical carton is:

• Around 75% paperboard, which provides strength and shape.
• Approximately 20% plastic (polyethylene), used as a lining to protect the contents from moisture and contamination.
• Up to 5% aluminium foil, added in cartons used for long-life products to keep out light and air.

This layered design makes cartons highly effective at preserving food and drink, but it also makes them more challenging to recycle than packaging made from a single material.

Why are beverage cartons tricky to recycle?

The combination of paper, plastic and aluminium means cartons need to be separated into their component parts before they can be reused. Traditional sorting methods can struggle to identify and recover cartons effectively, leading to them being missed or contaminated by other recyclables.

At J&B Recycling, we’ve worked hard to address these challenges. Our MRF in Hartlepool has specialised processes in place to identify beverage cartons among the thousands of tonnes of mixed recyclables we handle every week. And with recent investment in robotic technology, we’re now able to capture even more cartons with greater accuracy.

Investing in innovation: the new robotic arm

Working with Tetra Pak and recycling technology specialists Recycleye, we’ve recently installed a robotic sorting arm at our Hartlepool facility. Funded by Tetra Pak, the robot uses advanced AI vision systems to identify cartons on the sorting line and recover them quickly and efficiently.

This investment means:

• More cartons are recovered from household and business recycling.
• Higher-quality materials are sent for reprocessing, with reduced contamination.
• Local authorities and businesses benefit, as we can support them in achieving their recycling targets more effectively.

What happens to recycled beverage cartons?

Once recovered at our MRF, beverage cartons are sent to a dedicated reprocessing facility in Halifax. Here, the materials are separated using a process called hydro-pulping.

• The paper fibres are extracted and used to make new paper products such as cardboard boxes and tissue.
• The plastic and aluminium layers are separated and processed, with some being recycled into durable materials for use in construction or industrial applications.
• Importantly, the recovered materials can even go back into the production of new beverage cartons, helping to create a circular economy.

Supporting local authorities and businesses

By investing in cutting-edge technology and working with trusted partners like Tetra Pak, J&B Recycling is improving recycling performance across the North of England. For councils, this means higher capture rates of cartons and less contamination in kerbside collections. For businesses, it means greater confidence that the materials they place in recycling bins are being recovered and put to good use.

Our team has extensive experience working with both public and private sector organisations. We can provide advice, reliable collections and transparent reporting, ensuring your waste management strategy is both environmentally responsible and cost-effective.

Why choose J&B Recycling?

• We’ve been recovering beverage cartons for many years, building expertise and strong partnerships.
• We operate one of the country's most advanced Material Recycling Facility's, processing materials from across the North East.
• We’re committed to innovation and sustainability, continually investing in new technologies to improve recycling outcomes.
• We work closely with local authorities, businesses and communities, delivering tailored solutions that maximise resource recovery.

Making recycling work better for everyone

Beverage cartons may be complex, but with the right facilities and partnerships, they can be recycled effectively and transformed into valuable new products. At J&B Recycling, we’re proud to be leading the way – helping to keep resources in circulation, reduce environmental impact and support the communities we serve.

If you’re a local authority or business looking to improve your recycling, contact J&B Recycling today.