The challenge of circularity & recycling

bob棋牌 www.progenywines.com Food packaging plays an essential role in feeding people throughout the world, but when it is not collected and recycled, it can be a source of waste1. And with global waste projected to increase by 70% by 20502?according to World Bank, recycling alone is not enough. The world needs to move away from the traditional linear economy, based on a “take-make-waste” model, towards a circular economy3.

Accelerating recycling with investment

We are continually improving the circularity of our packages through investments and collaborations to increase recycling capacity and strengthen the recycling infrastructure for our cartons.?

Our paper-based carton packages are already recyclable where adequate collection, sorting and recycling infrastructures are in place, at scale. But it is not the same story everywhere, as packages in many countries don’t get collected for recycling. In places where collection infrastructure is still being built up, we are co-investing with recyclers in new equipment and facilities to increase recycling capacity. We aim to continuously increase the collection, sorting and recycling of carton packages, and achieving this requires decisive action and collaboration along the full recycling value chain.?

Design for recycling

Design for recycling means integrating collection, sorting and recycling considerations from the start when designing the package.?Our?paper-based carton packages?are designed with exactly this recycling purpose in mind. By increasing the fibre content and reducing the plastics and aluminium, our packaging becomes more attractive to recyclers and easier to recycle.?

Renewable & responsible materials

In a circular economy, renewable materials are crucial because they reduce the demand on limited resources and the environmental impacts of resource extraction. By using renewable materials in our packages from responsibly managed sources, such as?from Forest Stewardship Council? (FSC?) certified forests and other controlled sources, we can help contribute to the circular economy.??The FSC? licence code for Tetra Pak is FSC? C014047.???

To further enhance the environmental performance of our packaging portfolio, we are investing up to €100 million over the next 5-10 years in packaging material innovation, including reducing the use of plastics and aluminium and increasing the fibre-content

Happy asian kids recycling cartons

Designing out food waste

We apply circular design principles in both our packaging design as well as our?food processing and filling equipment.?By innovating in such equipment, we can help reduce food waste, energy and water consumption, as well as enable the reuse and recycling of food processing equipment to extend its lifespan.?

Our focus areas

Further reading

Circular solutions , woman and illustration

Driving circular solutions

To improve collection, sorting and recycling, we are collaborating to increase the paper fibre content of our paper-based carton packages and supporting the use of recycled materials.

PolyAl granules and Tetra Brik carton

Recycling initiatives across the value chain

We are continuously working towards improving the recycling and recyclability of our carton packages across the value chain, from designing to the collection, sorting and recycling of cartons.

Front cover Tetra Pak Sustainability Report

Committed to the Future

Our annual Sustainability Report provides a comprehensive picture of how we are collaborating across the globe to contribute to the sustainable development of the food & beverage industry.

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Purpose drives our sustainability approach

Our sustainable approach is driven by our purpose, and we focus on food systems, climate, nature, circularity, and social sustainability.

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1Marsh, J. (2021).?Food?Packaging Waste Statistics: Understanding the Rise of Food Packaging Waste.?Source:?Environment.com

2The World Bank. (2018).?WHAT A WASTE 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050.Source: Worldbank.org

3Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2022). Circular Economy Introduction. Source: Ellenmacarthurfoundation.org, What is a circular economy? | Ellen MacArthur Foundation

4https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/30317

5Sustainable food systems mean growing, producing, processing, packaging, distributing and consuming food without negatively impacting the planet. Retrieved from?OECD. (2019).?Accelerating Climate Action.?Source: OECD iLibrary

6By positive impact we mean driving better outcome for our own workforce, workers and communities in our supply chain, workers in collection and recycling and people in our value chain affected by climate change and the transition to net-zero in the areas of labour, discrimination, hazardous working conditions and sustainable income, among others