A NEW service allowing Powys residents to recycle Tetra-pak cartons has been launched in the county

Cartons, such as those commonly used for milk and orange juice, will now be able to be recycled using red recycling boxes on the kerbside.

The council said in a statement that all that is needed to do is to: “Just give them a quick rinse, squash, and add to your red recycling box.”

After the cartons, collected they will be separated from the plastics and cans and baled together. These bales will be collected by the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) UK, which will process them.

“Although it has been possible to recycle food and drink cartons at the Household Waste Recycling Centres for a while, we know it isn’t always practical for everyone to use the facilities for these everyday items.” said Councillor Jackie Charlton, cabinet member for a greener Powys.

“Following your requests and feedback, we have been working hard behind the scenes to find a feasible way to include these cartons within the weekly recycling collections and are now delighted to be able to add them to the list of items which can now be recycled in your red box.”

“Powys households have already proven to be dedicated recyclers, and we know you are keen for us to develop ways to help increase recycling opportunities wherever possible. The introduction of cartons to the red box will help us keep up the county’s recycling momentum to meet the next Welsh Government target to recycle, reuse or compost 70% of our waste by 2025.”

Richard Hands, Chief Executive of ACE UK welcomed the news and said: “It is great news that Powys County Council has decided to send the cartons they collect to our dedicated recycling facility. As well as having a low carbon footprint, the high-quality wood fibres found in food and drink cartons can be recycled up to six times, making them a valuable raw material for new paper products.”