What to do with egg boxes?
Did you know that, in the UK, we get through a cracking 36 million eggs every day? Make sure you hatch a plan to recycle your egg boxes.
Household recycling collection
Egg boxes can be made from cardboard or plastic. Cardboard egg boxes are widely collected by councils as part of your household recycling scheme but the collection of plastic egg boxes varies across the country.
Check with your council to see if you can put egg boxes in your recycling bin.
Household waste recycling centre (HWRC)
Cardboard egg boxes are widely recycled in household recycling schemes, but check with your council first as some have special collection schemes for cardboard.
Can I compost egg boxes?
You can compost your egg cartons if they're made of cardboard or paper but break them up first. If your heap is dry, try splashing them with water so they rot down quicker.
Plastic and styrofoam egg cartons are not compostable because they won’t break down.
What can you do?
Put potting compost into the individual compartments of egg boxes, then sow with seeds to create your own windowsill greenhouse!
Plastic egg boxes can be useful for storing small items of jewellery too, like earrings.
They are also ideal for storing small craft items like buttons, sequins and beads.
Paint palettes! Cut the lid off a plastic egg box and add small amounts of water-based paints to each compartment - ideal for when the kids are feeling artistic.
Buy eggs from your local packaging-free store or market so that you can reuse your egg box.
Recycling is constantly evolving and changing so check back for updates or try our recycling locator to find out what you can recycle at home and where you can recycle or pass on unwanted items in your local area.