We can recycle paperboard milk cartons and drink boxes, why not other types of plastic-coated cardboard, like ice cream boxes or margarine boxes?
The answer lies with how these products are made. Drink boxes, milk and juice cartons are made out of paper with a thin plastic film on top. The plastic layer contains all the dyes of the label; underneath is clean, bleached cardboard. Frozen dinner entrees, ice cream boxes, butter boxes and other plastic coated cardboard packaging have the dyes applied to the cardboard and a clear plastic seal on top. In order to recycle the paper, the dyes need to be removed (“de-inked”) making it less desirable for the paper manufacturer. Because the paper from cartons and drink boxes is free of dyes, there is no de-inking needed, saving one step in the process.
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