How to dispose of cartons, e.g., for juice, milk etc. in Surrey

What are cartons?

Cartons are a type of packaging that is mainly used for cartons of fruit juice, different types of milk, soup and other products such as chopped tomatoes. Cartons are sometimes referred to as Tetra Pak – one of the brand names of a major carton producer.

What are cartons made of?

They are mainly made from cardboard but also contain plastic and aluminium. The mix of materials means that there is often some confusion about how to dispose of cartons.

How should I dispose of cartons where I live in Surrey?

As it isn’t straightforward to dispose of them, it depends where in Surrey you live.

Reigate and Banstead, Surrey Heath and Tandridge

Recycle cartons by putting them in your recycling bin or saving them up and taking them to one of the community recycling centres (CRCs) listed below.

Guildford

Recycle cartons by putting them in your recycling bin or saving them up and taking them to a local recycling bank or one of the CRCs listed below.

Elmbridge

Recycle your cartons by saving them up and taking them to a local recycling bank or one of the CRCs listed below.

Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Waverley and Woking

Recycle cartons by saving them up and taking them to one of the CRCs listed below.

Which CRCs recycle cartons?

Bagshot, Camberley, Dorking, Epsom, Farnham. Guildford, Leatherhead, Lyne (Chertsey), Shepperton, and Witley. More information on what CRCs accept can be found on Surrey County Council’s website.

Other information on disposing of cartons

You should rinse cartons, making sure they are clean before they are recycled. And you can leave screw tops on too – they will be separated and recycled separately.

To find out what to do with other types of waste where you live in Surrey, use the Surrey Recycles search tool (or download it as an app).