July 14, 2023
Aseptic packaging: Why a single-use, recyclable solution has a part to play in a circular economy
The world cannot transition to a circular economy without dealing with packaging – and the waste it generates. On average, each EU citizen produces 177.2 kg of packaging waste a year, and between 2009 and 2020, the quantity of packaging materials rose by 13.3 million tonnes.
One way to reduce these numbers is to implement reusable packaging. It’s a solution that’s becoming increasingly popular – but it cannot be immediately applied to all foods or beverages.
When it comes to everyday items like dairy, plant-based drinks and some juices, for example, reusable packaging would require cold chain distribution systems – which in turn would require a redesign of the entire value chain and shorten shelf-life.[1] Francesco Faella, Vice President Packaging Ambient Solutions from Tetra Pak, weighs in on the packaging dilemma.
"On average, an EU citizen produces 127 kg of food waste and 177.2 kg of packaging waste a year."
“Reuse targets, such as the ones included in the EU’s proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), should be flexible so it’s possible to invest in reusable solutions where it makes sense and where they’re a better environmental choice than single-use recyclable alternatives. Paper-based aseptic beverage cartons, for example, can help keep food safe and available – even perishable goods – for months. And they are recyclable wherever the necessary infrastructure exists,” says Francesco.
A necessary compromise between single-use and safety
Too much packaging goes to waste, and we have to deal with this collectively. But too much food is also wasted. Already around a third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted, accounting for about 8% of greenhouse gas emissions produced on Earth. In the EU alone, each citizen wastes 127kg of food every year on average.[2]
“Aseptic processing and packaging solutions extend shelf life and help keep food safe for up to a year. They also help retain the product's colour, taste, texture and nutrition without the need for preservatives or refrigeration. In contrast, non-aseptic solutions offer a much shorter shelf life of one to four weeks[1] for perishable foods and beverages,” adds Francesco.
“Aseptic packaging can extend shelf life and help keep food safe for up to a year, without the need for preservatives or refrigeration”
The extended shelf life offered by aseptic packaging helps reduce food waste since it’s significantly less likely to spoil. It also helps expand access to food – and the fact that a cold chain isn’t needed means that people living in remote areas can enjoy perishable liquid food, increasing access to balanced and sustainable diets.
The right aseptic processing technology can also help manufacturers get more out of raw materials and reduce the number of discarded food by-products – for less waste and more nutrition.
“We’re continuously collaborating with customers and partners to turn leftovers from food production into added-value ingredients. One example is a whole-bean processing solution we’ve developed with our customers. By capturing a part of the puréed soybean that is usually unwanted, we get okara, which helps make end-products like soy milk creamier,” says Francesco.
The beverage carton industry is working to increase the capacity for beverage carton recycling in the EU, where the recycling rate is over 50%.
Re-fillable or recyclable? There’s room for both
Today, it’s impossible to treat aseptic beverage cartons as reusable ones without compromising food safety. But while they cannot be refilled, carton packages are recyclable where the necessary infrastructure exists. And they’re a popular choice for many EU producers: three-quarters of milk sold in the EU is packaged in beverage cartons, and the same is the case for almost two-thirds of juices.
“Today, our packages are collected and recycled at scale where the right waste management and recycling infrastructure is in place. In the EU, for example, we have a recycling rate that’s over 50%,” highlights Francesco.
The beverage carton industry is working to increase the capacity for beverage carton recycling in the EU. Approximately €200 million has been invested so far, and there are plans to invest a further €120 million by 2027. Tetra Pak is also investing €100 million per year and will continue to do so over the next 5-10 years to reduce the environmental footprint of cartons even more. This includes developing packages that are made with a simplified structure and more renewable content.
“Beverage carton recycling varies significantly globally, but collaboration is the way forward if we want to flip the script. In Poland, for example, we’ve co-invested with Stora Enso to triple the recycling capacity of beverage cartons. With the new line, operational since May this year, it’s also possible to recycle beverage cartons from neighbouring countries, including Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania,” says Francesco.
“Both reusable and single-use recyclable packaging options have a role to play in a circular economy - but food security must be a key part of the equation”
No perfect solution – but the goal is a complete system
Even with progress being made every day, there’s no perfect solution. For Francesco, it’s about finding the right balance between reusable packaging and recyclable, single-use packaging options.
“Both reusable and single-use recyclable packaging options have a role to play in a circular economy. But food security must be a key part of the equation. The specific processing and packaging needs of perishable liquid foods must be considered when we look at packaging solutions for the future – so we can ensure that EU citizens can continue to access sufficient, safe and nutritious food,” concludes Francesco.
Want to learn more about how aseptic technology and packaging help to make perishable foods safe and available? Read more here.
[1] Rysstad and Kolstad (2006). Extended shelf life milk-advances in technology
[2] Williams, Lindström, Trischler, Wikström and Rowe (2020). Avoiding food becoming waste in households - the role of packaging in consumers’ practices across different food categories, Journal of Cleaner Production
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