Carton Recycling Information for Schools
Schools Are a Great Place to Recycle Cartons
More than four billion food and beverage cartons are consumed in schools every year. The average U.S. school of 545 students consumes around 75,000 cartons each year.
As schools work harder to drive sustainable practices and reduce the amount of waste, recycling food and beverage cartons is a win for everyone.
If your local facility accepts food and beverage cartons, we encourage you to consider adding cartons to your existing school recycling program. Even if your school doesn’t have a recycling program in place yet, we can help you get started with carton recycling.
Benefits Overview
Reduce Waste and Have a Positive Impact
Implementing food and beverage carton recycling programs at schools helps to:
- Reduce the amount of waste generated
- Contribute to community recycling rates
- Create potential financial savings from fewer trash pickups
- Teach students about environmental stewardship
- Establish good habits — recycling at school can encourage recycling at home
School Grants
Boost Sustainability
with a $5,000 Grant
The Carton Council is offering grants of up to $5,000 to help K-12 schools in the U.S. and Canada establish, enhance or expand their carton recycling programs. This is your chance to enhance sustainability, reduce waste, and get your students involved!
Grant funds can be used to purchase sorting equipment or collection bins, create communications, print signage, establish a “green team,” and more!
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the
Frequently Asked Questions document before starting
their application.
Applications are open now through May 31, 2025.
apply noweligible applicants for the grant
- U.S and Canadian Public and
Private K-12 schools - School Districts or Boards
- School Organizations
- Local Governments
- Individuals Supporting a School’s
Recycling Program
Case Studies
School Carton Recycling in Action
Learn how schools across the country have reduced waste and driven sustainable behavior with carton recycling programs.
Starting a Program
Bring Recycling to Your School
Looking to establish a carton recycling program? Here’s how you can get started:
1
CHECK AVAILABILITY OF CARTON RECYCLING
Ask your local materials recovery facility (MRF) and hauler to confirm that food and beverage cartons are accepted in your community. Discuss with your recycler the logistics surrounding pick up at your school(s).
2
ENGAGE WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION & STAFF
Talk with the team of administrators, teachers, principals, cafeteria and custodial staff and PTA/PTO members. Discuss concerns, gain support and identify people who will help develop a program.
3
ESTABLISH
GOALS
Use estimators to calculate your program’s potential impact, assess what will be needed (including funding and equipment) and establish goals to measure success.
4
DEVELOP
PROGRAM PROCESS
Determine the set-up of recycling containers and buckets for excess liquids, location of recycling stations, instructional signage so it is clear to students how and where to place their cartons, and establish roles and responsibilities.
5
RECRUIT
ADVOCATES
Include students, create a “green team,” name a faculty/lunchroom/janitorial “champion,” and don’t forget the custodial staff. There may be parents who will volunteer to help set up the program.
6
LAUNCH
PROGRAM
Train staff on proper procedure. Have helpers aid students to recycle right. Have a principal make an announcement or hold an assembly. Encourage classroom activities to reinforce and motivate.
Resources
Resources for Schools View All
Looking to establish a carton recycling program? Here’s how you can get started: