Tetra Pak unveils new waste reduction initiatives

Tying in with Canada’s National Waste Reduction Week, food packager Tetra Pak Inc. has launched its own global sustainability goals.

As part of its global 2020 strategy, Tetra Pak has committed to cap its carbon emissions at 2010 levels and double the recycling rate of used beverage cartons. According to a Tetra Pak statement, the company is “actively pursuing” ways to reduce waste by supporting school recycling initiatives, assisting away-from-home recycling programs, launching industry initiatives, working with domestic material recycling facilities and developing viable end markets for carton fibre.

“As a concerned carton manufacturer, it is our responsibility to ensure that staff, parents and kids understand that carton packages like milk and juice boxes are recyclable,” said Elisabeth Comere, Tetra Pak’s director of environment and government affairs.

Tetra Pak’s initiatives include working alongside the Carton Council of Canada to carry out waste audits that identify and address key issues impacting carton recycling, also to build robust end markets in the U.S. and Mexico, which accept tonnage from Canada; and partnering with Quebec-based recycling company, Groupe RCM, to invest in a new recycling line that converts cartons, plastic bags and films into useful post-consumer products such as flower pots, railway ties and plastic lumber.

With Canadian headquarters in Toronto, Tetra Pak is a multi-national packaging company, and one of three companies in the Tetra Laval Group, which also owns PET packager Sidel.