
E99 - 99. Why cartons aren't being recycled
Published: June 18, 2026
Duration: 59:59
Cartons are a staple of everyday life, but they're far more complicated than they appear. Made from layers of paper, plastic and sometimes aluminium, they're designed to keep food fresh and lightweight to transport, but that same design makes them challenging to recycle. Following recent news that the UK's carton recycling capacity has taken a significant hit, we explore why cartons became so popular, why they're often seen as a sustainable packaging choice, and what really happens after you put one in the recycling bin. Plus, are energy gel wrappers rubbish or not, are heavily printed cans recyclable, and...