California to build new homes with recycled cartons

A new recycling facility in Lodi, California, is in the works to advance food and beverage carton recycling. The golden state believes this will help realise the production of sustainable building materials on the West Coast.

The plant will process around 750 tonnes of post-consumer food and beverage cartons per month. Products such as gable top and aseptic containers, collected across the state and in neighbouring states, will be transformed into eco-friendly construction materials.

The site, which will create 15 ‘green’ jobs, is being developed by Carton Council, Elof Hansson USA and the Upcycling Group. Operations will start by the end of the third quarter.

The partners involved underline that the facility relies on an innovative recycling technology that can convert cartons into large, durable boards without water, formaldehyde glues, or hazardous chemicals. They say it yields a carbon footprint at least 80% lower than conventional construction materials.