December 5, 2025
Volunteering has been happening locally for many years at Tetra Pak, with colleagues around the world giving their time and energy to causes that matter. But over the past year, something changed.
“Volunteering isn’t new at Tetra Pak,” Sonia says, “but now we’re connecting local passion into a global purpose.”
A global volunteering programme has been launched, giving every employee the opportunity to take part in company-supported volunteer activities. “Volunteering is one way we bring our purpose to life,” Sonia says. “It’s how we play our part in protecting food, people and the planet, - a commitment not just as a company but through the actions of each individual.” The programme empowers colleagues to take initiative on causes they care about and to make a meaningful difference in the communities where Tetra Pak operates.
"Volunteering is one way we bring our purpose to life. It’s how we play our part, not just as a company but through the actions of each individual.”
Acting local, on a global scale
At the heart of this programme is the belief that when people are given the space to act on what they care about, good things happen. That’s why everyone at Tetra Pak is offered one, paid day a year to volunteer, with strong backing from management to make it possible.
“We wanted every employee, everywhere, to have a way to contribute, not just through their work, but as individuals,” Sonia explains.
And while the offer is global, the impact is local. A global volunteering framework, which was launched on International Volunteer Day last year, creates a consistent structure across markets. But it’s the local teams who make it relevant. Volunteer committees in each market identify which causes to support and who to work with. This might be a school, a care home for vulnerable children, a food bank, a community kitchen, a beach/river/highway/roadway clean-up, an animal shelter, a tree plantation or blood donation.
It’s this combination of shared purpose and local ownership that’s helped the programme grow.
Turning ideas into action
What’s been most inspiring isn’t the number of people involved, though that’s growing, it’s the spirit.
“Everyone embraced it with passion. That really made me reflect on the kind of culture we have, where people genuinely want to contribute and make a difference.” Sonia says.
And this culture of shared ownership is having ripple effects. People aren’t just giving their time they’re building new connections, growing their understanding, and seeing their day-to-day work through a different lens.
“The feedback has been powerful. People have told us they see the world, and even their jobs, in a new way.”
While scheduling can be a challenge, especially when accommodating colleagues with variable work hours , Sonia has seen momentum grow faster than expected.
“This global programme grew faster and more naturally than any I’ve experienced in my years at Tetra Pak. It reminded me that this sense of responsibility and willingness to act is a big part of what connects us.”
Small actions, lasting impact
The programme is still young, but already stories are starting to emerge. Each one is unique to its location but connected by a shared sense of purpose.
Feeding kids and communities in the US
In May, a team from Denton, Texas, rolled up their sleeves at the North Texas Food Bank in Plano to assemble meal kits for children facing food insecurity. In just 2.5 hours, alongside other community volunteers, they packed 23 pallets, equivalent to 18,800 meals, including 5,000 specifically for the “Food for Kids” programme. It was especially meaningful to see that the kits included milk in Tetra Pak packages.
“It felt good knowing we were part of something so immediate and essential,” said Luis Flores, a volunteer from the Business Control team. “Seeing our packages included in the kits was a proud reminder of how our work connects to real impact in the community."
Building bridges through books in Italy
In Modena, the Quality Analytics team worked with refugees at Porta Aperta to co-create a “Library of the World” in their shelter. With a mix of educational and leisure books, the library has become a place of learning, sharing and cultural exchange, and it’s become a symbol of welcome.
“We created something together that was about more than books,” said Paola Pavarotti, a Quality Issue Analyst.
“Seeing how the library sparked conversations and smiles was something I’ll never forget.”
A refreshing start in Thailand
Nearly 50 volunteers from our Bangkok and Rayong sites joined forces for a beach cleanup at Bangsaen Beach, one of the most beloved spots near the city. Together, they collected 130 kilograms of waste, including plastic bottles and fishing nets. It was the first of three planned environmental actions in the region and a strong signal of what’s possible when we come together for the planet.
“This was about preserving a place we all enjoy, not just for today but for future generations. By taking action together, we’re showing that each of us has a role to play in protecting the natural spaces we share.” Says Ratanasiri Tilokskulchai, Managing Director, Thailand.
One day, one movement
Much has already been achieved by the Volunteer programme. Across the organisation, local teams have, run dozens of initiatives, and collectively invested thousand of hours. What’s even more encouraging is the range of causes supported and now the number of people getting involved.
“The more people share their stories, the more others are inspired to join,” Sonia says. “That’s how a movement grows.”
Volunteering may start with a single day, but it’s fast becoming a thread in the fabric of how we work and how we live our purpose.
“I recommend anyone to do something meaningful,” Sonia says. “You can start with small things. And then you begin to see how all these individual efforts, when joined together, create something much bigger.”
