Tetra Pak and Lactalis have introduced a carton package using certified recycled polymers linked to used beverage cartons, marking a significant development in the beverage carton industry. The material is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS and is sourced from the recycling process of used beverage cartons in Spain. The package utilizes a mass balance attribution method, ensuring the volume of recycled material is tracked and verified by a third-party auditor.
This initiative aims to reduce the industry’s reliance on virgin, fossil-based materials and supports the shift toward a circular economy. Tetra Pak plans to invest €100 million annually over the next five to ten years to scale this innovation, while Lactalis has prioritized responsible packaging and circularity in its environmental goals, alongside efforts to decarbonize by 2050.
Joël Llovera, Purchasing Director of Lactalis Iberia, emphasized the partnership’s focus on environmental sustainability, stating, “Packaging innovation plays a crucial role in this endeavor… transitioning from fossil-based polymers to recycled ones, certified by ISCC PLUS, represents a significant stride towards our objective.”
Tetra Pak’s Marco Marchetti noted, “Increasing the usage of renewable and recycled resources in packaging is critical… collective action across the entire system is needed to turn challenges into opportunities, as shown by our world-first introduction with Lactalis.”
Lactalis will initially use this packaging for its Puleva dairy range in Spain, including milk variants such as calcium skimmed and lactose-free milk. The company plans to gradually expand the use of certified recycled polymers across its product range. This development aligns with growing consumer demand for more sustainable packaging, as Tetra Pak research reveals that 78% of consumers are concerned about plastic waste’s environmental impact.