When you pick up a carton of milk at the store, you’re picking up a gable top carton. The name comes from the fold at the top which looks like the gable roof of a house.
This coated paper carton is very versatile, not only used to contain milk and other liquids such as milk substitute, broth, soup and juice, but also to keep things dry. When you buy Epsom salts or molasses, it will probably be packaged in a gable top carton. Gable top cartons are part of a group of containers called polycoat or aseptic containers.
Reduce | Reuse | Recycle | Facilities
How do I go green?
Reduce
Buy in bulk. Many larger cartons now come with re-sealable lids. Instead of purchasing a supply of small cartons, get a large one and pour the contents into cups or refillable containers. Switch to a glass bottle when possible; glass bottles will be reused at least a dozen times before re-entering the recycling cycle.
Reuse
Gable-top cartons can be a desirable material for kids (and adults) craft projects. There are a number of websites outlining how to make cool crafts from old cartons:
Cable cars and more
Recycled milk carton truck
Bird feeder
Recycle
Clean gable top cartons are now accepted in the CRD blue box with your other containers. Juice cartons can also go back to where you bought them in quantities of 20 or fewer or to any bottle depot. Most bottle depots will accept milk and milk substitute containers for recycling as part of a product stewardship program for recycling such containers. All milk, cream, and milk substitute (soy, almond & rice) beverage containers (cartons and jugs) are included in this voluntary industry-run program. Containers include polycoated and paper board containers like Tetra Paks or aseptic and gable top cartons. Go to Encorp for more details.
We are now accepting gable top containers in the recycling area at Hartland landfill. Remember that all loads coming up to the Hartland must be covered and secured. For more information about what else can be recycled at Hartland visit our website .
Please be sure to wash the cartons out, flatten them and remove any lids no matter where you take them for recycling.
Facilities
Hartland Recycling Facility
# 1 Hartland Avenue
Victoria
250-360-3030
Pacific Mobile Depots
Victoria
250-893-3851
The Environmental Story
Milk and other gable top cartons are made from ‘polycoat’ – lightweight, high-grade paperboard sandwiched between two thin layers of polyethylene (plastic) film. The result is a strong, rigid container that effectively maintains the integrity of the product inside.
Polycoat is a high-value material that can be converted into new material using a process known as hydra pulping. A hydra pulper is like an enormous blender, where a combination of heat, water and agitation break down the material to produce raw fibre, or pulp. The pulp is then used to make new paper products such as corrugated medium (the inner layer of corrugated cardboard), linerboard and household tissue products. The small amount of residual polyethylene can be screened off for use in other plastic and composite materials.
Did You Know?
Dairy milk production has a very high carbon footprint including methane production (cow gas), nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide from farming. Consider alternatives such as rice, soy or almond milk.
Questions? Call the CRD Hotline.
We can answer your questions on the Hartland landfill, composting, household hazardous waste, recycling and more!
t: 250.360.3030
toll-free: 1.800.663.4425 #3030
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