Recyclability of Tetra Pak cartons

Tetra Pak’s cartons are fully recyclable, which means that all parts of the package – the paper, the plastics and the alufoil – can be material recycled; that is, used as a feedstock in the creation of new materials.

Right now, around 20% of the total number of cartons we sell worldwide are recycled (which does not include being used as a fuel source). We believe this number is too low, and we are taking actions in all parts of the world to improve that performance, with a goal of ensuring that 40% of our packages are material recycled by 2020. One of the critical actions in achieving this target is to increase awareness among consumers about the recyclability of our packages, to facilitate the collection and recycling process.

Over the past couple of days, a number of publications have run reports based on a press release by the German special interest group, Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH). The group claims that Tetra Pak is misleading consumers by using the phrase “I am 100% recyclable”, alongside an illustration of a carton package.

We strongly refute this allegation.

It is a great shame that DUH continues to misinterpret our statements, creating unnecessary controversy and bringing the very strong environmental profile of carton packaging into disrepute. Our intention all along has been focused solely on finding ways to motivate consumers into collecting beverage cartons for recycling, and on providing them with information regarding the environmental characteristics of carton packaging.

For more information please contact

Christopher Huntley, Tetra Pak, christopher.huntley@tetrapak.com