After reading last week’s Tip of the Week on the dos and don’ts of recycling in Newton, a reader asked us to clarify what aseptic containers are.
Aseptic containers are box-shaped containers made of layered paperboard, plastic, and aluminum. Because they are hermetically sealed, these types of containers are often used for long-life milk, juices, and soups. With the complexity of separating out the mixed materials and no accessible recycling facility in our region, most towns in Massachusetts do not accept them for recycling*. These items should be placed in the trash.
Similar and Also Not Recyclable…
The juice and milk cartons that you find in the refrigerated sections are made of plastic affixed to paperboard. These items faced a similar difficulty in recycling as aseptic containers and should be placed in the trash.
*According to Recycle Smart MA, there are some communities in Western Massachusetts that do accept aseptic containers for processing at the Springfield Materials Recovery Facility.
Images by Recycle Smart MA