Food and drink carton recycling: rinse, tops on

Drink cartons, such as juice and milk, and food cartons, such as soup and tomatoes, can be recycled, says Recycle Now.

• UK

Key facts

• Give cartons a quick rinse.
• Leave plastic tops on and straws in. They are taken out and recycled.
• Food and drink pouches, such as baby food and pet food pouches, go with plastic bags at selected shops.
• Some coffee pouches can go to plastic bag collection points. Check the packet.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Based on Recycle Now's own pages.

Accepted items

• Milk, juice and smoothie cartons
• Soup, tomato and pulse cartons

Related item guides

• Food and drink cartons

Other kinds of place

• Tips near you: household waste recycling centres
• Recycling banks and bring sites near you
• Clothes donation bins and clothes banks near you
• Bottle banks near you for glass bottles and jars

Schemes and collection services

• Recycle Now locator
• Recycle Now: aerosols
• Recycle Now: cardboard
• Recycle Now: foil
• Recycle Now: food tins and drink cans
• Recycle Now: paper