A new study presented in Spain (available below in Spanish) is helping to build a better understanding of how food and beverage cartons are identified and recovered in municipal sorting facilities, and of the factors that influence sorting performance.

Developed by FBCA Iberia in collaboration with Zumos y Gazpachos de España and the Circular Economy Chair at Rey Juan Carlos University, the research examined three sorting plants in the Madrid region, covering 158 municipalities and serving approximately 3.4 million inhabitants.

The study assessed facilities with different sorting technologies, plant capacities and operating conditions. The differences observed across the plants provide valuable insight into how these factors can influence beverage carton recovery and help identify where improvements in sorting infrastructure and operations can deliver better performance.

Among the results, a modern plant equipped with optical sorting technology achieved a 98.4% food and beverage carton recovery rate within the sorting process, while the optical sorting unit itself reached 99.5% efficiency.

Taken together, the findings highlight the important role of technology, plant capacity and operating conditions in beverage carton sorting and recovery. By comparing performance under different real-world conditions, the study provides technical evidence that can help inform decisions on sorting infrastructure, operational improvements and measures to increase beverage carton recovery.

The findings were presented to an audience of more than 70 stakeholders, including waste management experts, academics, public authorities and representatives from across the packaging value chain.

Key figures

· 3 sorting plants analysed

· 158 municipalities covered

· 3.4 million inhabitants served

· 98.4% food and beverage carton recovery rate achieved at the modern plant analysed

· 99.5% optical sorting efficiency at that facility

For more information contact: Emilio Oviedo, Director European Country Coordination, emilio.oviedo@fbcaglobal.com