Paperboard Packaging for Frozen Food Is Recyclable: Industry Study

A recent study  found that about 90% of folding carton tonnage for the frozen foods sector is manufactured from recyclable paperboard.

Consumption of frozen foods is on the rise, whether due to the fast pace of today’s lifestyle, 

Millennials waiting longer to have families than past generations, or, more recently,

 as consumers stock up on non-perishable foods due to COVID-19.

As more and more consumers head to the freezer aisle, PPC wants to assure all parties that paperboard packaging for frozen foods is,

 indeed, recyclable. While some NGOs claim that the majority of such packaging is coated, and therefore not recyclable, 

a recent study of our membership told a much different story.

The Research Process

About 80% of the North American folding carton market by volume, 

we surveyed our members about frozen food cartons shipped between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019. 

The survey looked at data regarding boxes for ice cream and frozen novelties, frozen foods, microwavable foods, 

bacon, and refrigerated foods. Primary packaging, like tubs and bricks of ice cream, was excluded.

From the responses, we were able to capture a statistically relevant dataset while maintaining the confidentiality of the participants.

Cartons for Frozen Food are Recyclable

The result was overwhelming: around 90% of folding cartons, by the ton, sent to the frozen foods sector last year were made of recyclable grades of paperboard. 

70% were manufactured from standard, uncoated grades while another 20% were converted using wet-strength board

—both of which are easily recyclable and do not have treatments that would hinder recycling in the normal waste stream.