California’s recycling and waste management office has updated its report on accurate recycling labels to show an increase in counties served by food and beverage carton recycling and sortation programs, reflecting data provided by the Carton Council of North America.
The material characterization study from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) now shows that 72% of households have access to aseptic carton recycling, and 74% have access to gable-top carton recycling, according to a press release from the Carton Council. The preliminary report from December 2023 had listed access to recycling for gable-tops at 55% and aseptic containers at 53%, eliciting concern from carton stakeholders.
In addition, the report now shows that 68% of California counties are served by MRFs that accept and sort cartons. The Carton Council data showed an additional seven counties in California had started sorting food and beverage cartons since the publication of the final findings in April 2025, bringing the state total to 23.
California adopted SB 343 in 2021. Also known as the “Truth in Recycling” law, SB 343 prohibits labeling products as recyclable unless certain recycling thresholds are met, and findings from the study are used to inform the covered materials list for SB 54, which established the state’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging.
“We greatly appreciate the thorough collaboration and support from CalRecycle throughout this data submission and review process,” said Jordan Fengel, executive director of the Carton Council, in the release. “Their review of new information and verification of real-world recycling system performance has ensured the status of food and beverage cartons is accurately reported. We hope the validation of being widely recyclable in California will drive more residents to recycle their food and beverage cartons.”
The Carton Council, which consists of carton manufacturers Elopak, Novolex/Pactiv Evergreen, SIG and Tetra Pak, emphasized continued partnership as California implements SB 54 to develop EPR for packaging.
“We look forward to continued engagement with CalRecycle during the upcoming SB 54 rulemaking process,” Fengel said in the release. “Together, we can establish a well-performing, equitable and transparent EPR program that supports California’s ambitious recycling and circular economy goals.”
Post-consumer fiber-based food and beverage cartons can be used to make paper towels, tissue and other types of paper packaging, as well as building materials, such as cellulose insulation.
