Lausanne: In a groundbreaking development for the beverage packaging industry, Tetra Pak and Lactalis have introduced a new carton package that incorporates certified recycled polymers derived from used beverage cartons. This initiative represents a significant advancement towards sustainable packaging and the promotion of a circular economy.
According to Tetra Pak, the recycled materials used in the new packaging are certified by ISCC PLUS and originate from the recycling process of beverage cartons collected in Spain. These materials are allocated to the packages using a mass balance attribution method, which ensures that the mix of recycled and virgin fossil feedstock maintains the quality, food safety, and other essential attributes of the packaging. This process is verified by third-party auditors following the ISCC Chain of Custody Procedure, ensuring transparency and accountability in the recycling process.
The collaboration between Tetra Pak and Lactalis not only aims to reduce reliance on virgin, fossil-based materials but also keeps quality resources in circulation, thereby enhancing the environmental profile of the packaging. Tetra Pak has committed to investing €100 million annually over the next five to ten years to support these efforts. Lactalis, sharing similar environmental goals, has prioritized responsible packaging and circular economy practices alongside other initiatives like animal welfare and decarbonization of its operations by 2050.
Joël Llovera, Purchasing Director of Lactalis Iberia, emphasized the shared commitment to environmental stewardship, stating that the transition from fossil-based to recycled polymers is a key step towards achieving their sustainability goals. Marco Marchetti, Vice President of Packaging Materials, Sales and Distribution Solutions at Tetra Pak, highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts across industries and government to scale up the adoption of recycled materials in food packaging.
This new packaging initiative is initially being rolled out in Spain with Lactalis’s Puleva dairy range, which includes various types of milk packaged in Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000 Slim cartons featuring the HeliCap 23 Pro closure. Lactalis plans to gradually expand the use of recycled polymers across its dairy product packaging, responding to increasing consumer demand for sustainable products.
Tetra Pak's research supports this move, showing that 78% of consumers are concerned about the environmental impact of plastic waste, with 29% increasing their purchases of products in recycled packaging over the past year. This innovative approach by Tetra Pak and Lactalis marks a significant step forward in reducing environmental impact and advancing global sustainability efforts.