ACE UK represents food, drink and other liquid carton manufacturers such as Tetra Pak, Elopak, SIG Combibloc.
The Simpler Recycling reforms will mean all English households will be able to recycle food, drink and other liquid cartons with confidence from 31 March 2026,, mandating their collection alongside plastic and other dry-recyclable materials and bringing an end to the current fragmented system.
ACE UK’s analysis of recycling infrastructure indicates that only two-thirds of English local authorities currently collect liquid cartons, so the challenge remains to successfully implement these reforms before March 2026.
Local authorities which have not already set up kerbside liquid carton collections will need to update and align their processes with the waste and recycling reforms.
With the launch of its Carton Ready campaign, ACE UK is offering resources and advice to help English local authorities successfully implement the mandatory collection of liquid cartons.
ACE UK said it is currently collaborating with a number of local councils to improve liquid carton collection and recycling rates. The Carton Ready Implementation Toolkit is based upon decades of experience supporting councils successfully establish kerbside collections for cartons.
Mandy Kelly, chief executive, ACE UK, said: “We want the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms to be a success, and we know that some local authorities will need help to update their existing processes to comply with the new requirements. The ACE UK team is ready to support local authorities to adapt to these changes, working with their local waste management contractors to rapidly develop their carton collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure.
“That’s why we’ve launched our new Carton Ready campaign to help local authorities and waste managers successfully implement the reforms ahead of the implementation date.”
