Life Cycle Assessments
Our paper-based cartons are on average made up of 70% paperboard, a renewable material when responsibly sourced. For our caps and plastic layers we offer plant-based polymers derived from sugarcane. Paperboard made from wood fibres and plastic made from sugarcane come from plant-based, renewable materials rather than fossil-based or finite resources. Renewable materials, such as wood and sugar cane, grow back and absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. Increasing the renewable content in our beverage cartons can reduce their climate impact.
To understand the environmental performance of our products, an important starting point is to base our decisions on knowledge and facts. One tool we use to find out about the climate and environmental impacts of our products is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
What is a life cycle assessment?
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method that measures the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle. It analyses each step of the value chain: energy production, the extraction of raw materials and its use, manufacturing, transportation, product handling, recycling, and end of life. LCAs ordered by Tetra Pak are conducted by independent researchers and are independently reviewed by an international panel of experts. An LCA gives insight into what the key impacts are along the product’s lifecycle and enables us to identify opportunities to improve the environmental aspects of our products.
For example, a third-party peer reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) shows that Tetra Pak packages have between 66% and up to 77% lower climate impact than a plastic bottle* within the Dairy chilled category.
*Figures compare Tetra Rex® Plant-based 1.75L and 2L cartons, which have 16 and 13 CO2 equivalents respectively, compared to a HDPE 2.27L bottle, with 47 CO2 equivalents, and a HDPE 2L bottle with 56 CO2 equivalents, as per LCA figures. Source: UK Comparative Life Cycle Assessment, IFEU 2022, Dairy chilled category.
Another example is for shelf-stable food products, where the Tetra Recart® package demonstrates between 43% and as much as 83% lower climate impact compared to other materials such as glass, metal, and plastic.
