Maya Ellison
Tetra Pak cartons are composed of paperboard, plastic, and aluminium. This combination of materials makes Tetra Pak cartons challenging to recycle. However, they can be recycled where adequate collection, sorting, and recycling systems are in place. The paper fibres are separated from the plastic and aluminium through a process called hydropulping and are then recycled into products such as paper towels, cardboard boxes, and tissues. The plastic and aluminium are shredded and turned into granules, which can be used to create various products such as pallets, crates, and automotive parts. Tetra Pak has also introduced plant-based and recycled polymers to increase the circularity of their packages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | 70% paperboard, 25% plastic, 5% aluminium |
| Recyclability | Recyclable, but requires adequate collection, sorting, and recycling systems |
| Recycling Process | Mechanical separation of components; paper is recycled, plastic and aluminium are regenerated |
| Recycled Products | Paper towels, cardboard packaging, crates, pallets, tissue products, writing paper, green building materials |
| Environmental Benefits | Reduces waste, contributes to a circular economy, minimizes environmental impact of resource extraction |
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What You'll Learn
Tetra Pak cartons are made from 70% paperboard
Tetra Pak cartons are predominantly made from paperboard. On average, 70% of a Tetra Pak carton is paperboard. The paper used is sourced from responsibly managed forests. The paperboard is combined with polymers/plastic and aluminium to create a package that can safely store food and beverages. The plastic used in the cartons is also sometimes plant-based.
The paperboard is used to form the structure of the carton, while the thin layers of plastic and aluminium protect the contents. The plastic used in the cartons is typically made from polyethylene, and the aluminium layer is eight times thinner than a human hair. These additional layers protect the carton's contents from oxygen and light, keeping perishable food safe without refrigeration for months. They also help to preserve the colour and taste of the food inside.
Tetra Pak cartons are recyclable, but the process is not straightforward due to the multiple materials used in the cartons. The cartons must be cleaned and then separated into their different components through a process called hydropulping. The paper fibres are then cleaned, pressed, dried, and formed into new paper products like paper towels, cardboard boxes, and writing paper. The polymers and aluminium are extracted, shredded together, and turned into granules, which can then be used to create various products like pallets, crates, and automotive parts.
Tetra Pak has committed to promoting and encouraging more effective and widespread recycling programs. In 2009, the company joined with other carton manufacturers in the US to establish the Carton Council, an organisation dedicated to reducing the number of cartons that become waste. Through this effort, Tetra Pak aims to build a sustainable infrastructure for carton recycling and increase access to carton recycling in the US.
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Tetra Paks contain 25% plastic
Tetra Paks are made from a combination of paper, plastic, and aluminium. The average Tetra Pak carton is made from 70% paperboard, 25% plastic, and 5% aluminium. The paperboard is made from wood and cellulose sourced from responsibly managed forests. The plastic is in the form of polymers, which protect the carton from outside moisture and enable the paperboard to stick to the aluminium. The thin layer of aluminium helps preserve the food inside by protecting it from oxygen and light, meaning perishable food can be kept safe without refrigeration for months.
Tetra Paks are recyclable, but the process is not straightforward due to the package's mixed materials. The multiple layers of paper, plastic, and aluminium foil are bound with adhesive, making them difficult to separate for recycling. Many recycling service providers lack the capacity or technology to properly sort these materials. However, some facilities do have the ability to recycle Tetra Paks through a process called hydropulping, which separates the paper layer from the aluminium and plastic layers.
In the United States, recycled Tetra Paks can be turned into new products such as tissue products, writing paper, and green building materials. The paper fibres are cleaned, pressed, dried, and formed into paper rolls, while the polymers and aluminium are extracted, shredded, and turned into granules for various products. Tetra Pak has also partnered with other carton manufacturers to establish the Carton Council, an organisation committed to reducing the number of cartons that become waste and promoting more effective recycling programs.
It is important to note that Tetra Pak is the name of the Swedish company that produces this type of packaging, and not all cartons with a similar structure are necessarily Tetra Paks. However, regardless of the brand, cartons with a multilayer structure of paperboard, plastic, and aluminium can be recycled under the right conditions.
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$82.72
5% of a Tetra Pak is aluminium
Tetra Pak is a Swedish multinational food packaging and processing company that offers packaging, filling machines, and processing for dairy, beverages, cheese, ice cream, and prepared food. The average Tetra Pak carton is made of about 70% paperboard, 25% plastic, and 5% aluminium. The paperboard used is a renewable material sourced from responsibly managed forests. The thin layer of aluminium in Tetra Pak cartons plays an essential role in protecting the food inside. However, it poses challenges for recycling and sustainability.
The presence of aluminium in Tetra Pak cartons makes the recycling process more complex. To recycle these cartons, the paper fibres must first be washed out before the aluminium and plastic can be separated and recycled. This process requires specialised equipment, water, and energy, which many recycling centres lack. As a result, Tetra Pak cartons often end up in landfills, polluting the environment.
While Tetra Pak claims that its cartons are 100% recyclable, this is only true if they are sent to recyclers with the necessary machinery to handle the complex recycling process. Unfortunately, not all recyclers have the capability to recycle these cartons, leading to low recycling rates. Globally, only about 26% of Tetra Pak cartons are recycled, and the company is responsible for three-quarters of its products ending up in landfills and polluting oceans and beaches.
To address these issues, Tetra Pak has been working on replacing the aluminium layer with more sustainable alternatives. The company is testing two options: a fibre-based barrier layer and a polymer-based barrier. These alternatives aim to improve recyclability while maintaining food safety and quality. Tetra Pak is investing significant resources to enhance the sustainability of its food cartons, demonstrating its commitment to environmental considerations.
The aluminium layer in Tetra Pak cartons, while crucial for food protection, presents challenges for recycling and sustainability. The company's efforts to replace aluminium with more eco-friendly materials show a recognition of the need for more sustainable solutions. By improving the recyclability of its cartons and increasing access to recycling facilities, Tetra Pak can reduce its environmental impact and contribute to a more circular economy.
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Tetra Paks are recyclable
Tetra Pak has committed to designing beverage carton recycling, using renewable materials and accelerating recycling. They are working to increase the collection, sorting and recycling of carton packages, and have co-invested in new equipment and facilities to increase recycling capacity. Tetra Pak also joined with other carton manufacturers in the U.S. to establish the Carton Council, an organisation committed to limiting the number of cartons that become waste and building a sustainable infrastructure for carton recycling.
In the U.S., recycled cartons are made into tissue products, writing paper and even green building materials. However, the recycling process is carbon-intensive, as the cartons must be shipped to a facility in Mexico where they are separated into their constituent parts. The paper is then recycled, while the plastic and aluminium are regenerated.
Despite these efforts, Tetra Pak is responsible for three out of four items they produce ending up in landfills, beaches and oceans. The company has been criticised for the environmental impact of its products, with only 26% of Tetra Pak cartons being recycled worldwide.
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Recycled Tetra Paks are used to make new products
Tetra Pak cartons are made from about 70% paperboard, 25% plastic, and 5% aluminium. The paperboard is made from wood and cellulose sourced from forests managed according to environmental sustainability criteria. Tetra Pak cartons are recyclable where adequate collection, sorting, and recycling systems are in place. The recycling process involves separating the various components of the carton, with the paper recycled into paper towels, cardboard boxes, and more, and the plastic and aluminium regenerated into products like pallets, crates, and automotive parts.
Tetra Pak is committed to carton recycling and works to promote and encourage more effective and widespread recycling programs. In 2009, the company joined with other carton manufacturers in the U.S. to establish the Carton Council, an organization dedicated to reducing the number of cartons that become waste. Through this effort, Tetra Pak seeks to build a sustainable infrastructure for carton recycling and continue growing carton recycling access in the U.S.
When recycled, Tetra Pak cartons can be used to create new products, reducing the demand for virgin resources and minimizing the environmental impact associated with resource extraction and processing. The recovered fibres from the cartons can be used to make new products such as cardboard boxes, tissues, and office paper. The remaining poly-aluminium (polyAl) can be sent to plastic and aluminium recyclers to be made into products such as panels, pallets, crates, furniture, and tiles.
In the U.S., recycled Tetra Pak cartons are made into tissue products, writing paper, and even green building materials. Additionally, two new materials obtained from recycling Tetra Pak cartons in Italy are cartafrutta, a brown paper suitable for shopping bags and stationery, and ecoallene, a printable plastic material used in construction and costume jewellery.
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Frequently asked questions
An average Tetra Pak carton is made of about 70% paperboard, 25% plastic and 5% aluminium.
Yes, Tetra Pak cartons are recyclable. However, it is a triple-mixed material, so the multiple layers of different materials (paper, plastic, and aluminium foil) bound with adhesive make it difficult to recycle. Many recycling service providers do not have the capacity or technology to properly separate and sort these materials. Tetra Pak cartons are recyclable where adequate collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructures are in place at scale.
The paper fibres are cleaned, pressed, dried, and formed into paper rolls before becoming tissues, paper towels, cardboard boxes, and more. Meanwhile, the polymers and aluminium are extracted, shredded together, and turned into granules. These granules are then turned into various products like pallets, crates, and automotive parts.
