The short answer
Published by John Fox, BinDay. Last updated 29 October 2026.
Milk and juice cartons, including Tetra Pak cartons, go in the household recycling bin in Ireland. Empty them, rinse them and let them dry before placing them loose in the bin. MyWaste accepts these cartons even though they contain layers of paperboard, plastic and, in some cases, aluminium foil.
Last checked 29 October 2026 by BinDay against the sources below. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland; bin colours and collector instructions can differ.
Why this answer
MyWaste lists Tetra Pak and similar milk or juice cartons as accepted household recycling. Their layered construction does not change that specific advice.
Rinsing and air drying are MyWaste’s recommended preparation. Some civic amenity sites also accept cartons, but check the MyWaste locator for a suitable site.
What to do
- Empty any remaining milk or juice.
- Rinse the carton and let it air dry.
- Put the clean, dry carton loose in household recycling.
Common mistake to avoid
Do not assume a milk carton is general waste simply because it contains more than one material.
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Sources and local checks
For a collection point, check what it accepts before travelling. For household-bin instructions, find your collector. How BinDay checks sources and corrects mistakes.
Council pages for this item
Irish local authorities license private collectors rather than running household bin rounds. Use the council page for civic amenity and official waste links, then confirm your collector.