3 mins read.
Walk into any supermarket and you’ll see drinks marketed as “sustainable” or “eco-friendly,” often packaged in cartons that look like cardboard.
At first glance, they seem like a great alternative to plastic. They’re lightweight, mostly paper based, and often labelled as recyclable.
But the reality is more complex.
What is a carton?
Cartons are made from multiple layers of materials: paperboard, plastic, and aluminium. These layers are tightly bonded together to protect the drink and extend shelf life.
The recycling challenge
Cartons are technically recyclable, but they are not always easy to recycle in practice. Because of their layered design, they require specialised facilities to separate materials.
Not all UK councils collect them, and in many cases they are only recycled via dedicated drop-off points such as supermarkets or car parks.
So while the label may say “recyclable,” it doesn’t always mean it will actually be recycled.
Why packaging choice matters
Sustainability isn’t just about how something looks, it’s about what happens after it’s used.
A simpler approach
At Nothing Much, we keep things simple. Our coconut water is filtered and filled directly into the can, then pasteurised in can. That process matters, it preserves the drink’s natural electrolytes and means we don’t need additives or preservatives to extend shelf life. Just coconut water, the way it should be.
We chose cans deliberately. Tin cans are widely recyclable and collected by virtually every UK council, making them a genuinely straightforward choice, not just a marketing claim.
Final thoughts
Cartons serve a purpose, but they are not as straightforward as they seem.
Because recyclable doesn’t always mean recycled.
Try Nothing Much for yourself — shop now