Solutions to the Juice Box Dilemma

Avid and capable recycler that I am, I can't seem to figure out how to get breakfast items like soy and rice milk in a sustainable container. However - the hardy, bacteria-free box milks from Tetrapak (a la grade school juice boxes and Parmalat) are recyclable. Woop woop! But who will take them?


This question is actually kind of complex, like the recycling process itself. There are at least 6 separate layers - paper, aluminum, and plastic - that have to be separated - and not everyone's municipal recycler is even interested in something that tedious, and fewer still actually provide the service. I tried to call around today to find out some more local folks to take my boxes, which I've saved up - a whole stinky bag of them, thanks - but couldn't do any better than a place out in Oregon called BRING recycling. I've sent stuff to them before, and they seem pretty reputable, so here's their address in case YOU want to save up and recycle your aseptic packages:

BRING Recycling Warehouse (541) 746-3023
4446 Franklin Blvd
Glenwood, OR 97403

Make sure you flatten them before mailing, and remove any plastic pour spouts, etc.

A last thought: I could try to remove myself entirely from the "American Breakfast Establishment." I've done it in China, where they serve you steaming noodles and veggies with heavy bread. For some reason though, sleepy me always wants something familiar and comfortable - leave lunch and dinner for venturing wildly into unknown food territory. Luckily, another breakfast craving, tea, is available literally worldwide, under amazingly similar names in varying languages. Wo yao cha.