Tetra Pak is the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Our motto ‘Protects

What’s Good’, reflects in our commitment to protect not just the milk and juices contained within the cartons

but also the environment around us.

Food safety plays an increasingly important role in our lives. Tetra Pak’s processing and packaging

technology plays a vital role in ensuring that milk and juices retain their freshness and nutrition without the

need for preservatives – thereby being ‘good for you’. What’s more, Tetra Pak cartons are made primarily of

paper (a renewable resource) and are fully recyclable – and thus are also ‘good for the earth’.

We say that our cartons are Good for You, Good for the Earth because they help deliver unparalleled food

safety while minimizing the impact on our environment.

Tetra Pak carton are 100% recyclable Tetra Pak cartons are primarily made from paper. 75% of the Tetra

Pak carton is made from paperboard, 20% of polyethylene and 5% of

aluminium. These three materials are layered together using heat and pressure

to form a six layered armour which protects the contents from light,

oxygen, air, dirt and moisture. Furthermore Tetra Pak cartons are

lightweight, easy to transport and fully recyclable. The aseptic

technology allows the product inside to stay fresh, without the need

of any preservatives. The pack need not be refrigerated until opened.

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A few common myths debunked:

Myth 1: Tetra Pak cartons are not recyclable.

Tetra Pak cartons are fully recyclable. The paperboard (which is 75% of the carton) is recycled into paper

products and the 25% remaining fraction (consisting of the polyethylene and the aluminium) can be recycled

into panel boards, roof sheets and so on.

Once the collected cartons are sorted and baled, they are sent to the recycling plant where the paper is

separated from the polyethylene and aluminium via the hydra pulping process and then converted into many

useful products.

Myth 2: There are no carton recyclers in India; therefore used Tetra Pak cartons are not recycled.

Used Tetra Pak cartons are already being collected and recycled in India for the past decade and more.

Currently, we estimate that around 30% of all used Tetra Pak cartons are being recycled, as verified by The

Energy & Resources Institute (TERI). Read the report. Tetra Pak seeks to continuously educate all sections

of the recycling value chain (consumers, waste traders, waste pickers, recyclers) that used Tetra Pak cartons

are fully recyclable and that they have a good value.

Myth 3: Tetra Pak packages are not environment friendly.

Tetra Pak packages are primarily paper-based and fully recyclable. A number of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

studies have assessed the greenhouse gas emissions from different packaging formats (including glass

bottles, PET and HDPE containers, Tetra Pak cartons, metal cans and stand-up pouches) and the Tetra Pak

carton is generally attributed with the lowest environmental impact. The Tetra Pak package is primarily made

of paperboard (75%), which has a low carbon footprint, as its main raw material – wood fibre, if well-

managed, is renewable.

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How are Tetra Pak cartons recycled?

Tetra Pak cartons are primarily made from wood fibre that has been refined into paperboard. To this, are

added protective layers of polyethylene and aluminium.

Used cartons are not waste. They are a valuable raw material for useful new products. As Tetra Pak cartons

are made largely from virgin wood fibres, they are an especially valuable paper source to recycle. The fibres

are long, strong and can be used again several times. Cartons usually go to paper mills after collection and

sorting. In the mill they are mixed with water, either separately or with other types of paper, to create paper

pulp. During this same process, the plastic and aluminium is separated from the pulp. The pulp is used to

make new paper products, e.g. corrugated board, tissue paper and notebooks. The remaining mix of plastic

and aluminium can be processed like a composite plastic material to produce products such as roof sheets,

pallets and panel boards.

Once the used beverage carton goes to the collection centre, they are then sorted and separated from other

dry recyclables. The cartons are flattened and compacted using a baler, in order to save space during

storage and transport.

Once enough of these baled cartons are collected, they are taken to the recycling plant.

At the recycling plant, the cartons are emptied into a huge drum called a pulper (similar to a giant domestic

food mixer) and then filled with water and pulped for a short duration.

The hydra pulping process separates the paper fibre from the polyethylene and aluminium to produce

a grey brown mixture (the pulp).

After hydra pulping, all the fibre is recovered and converted into pulp sheets.These sheets are then

used to make different grades of paper and paper products like notepads, envelopes and tissue

paper.

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The residue, i.e. polyethylene and aluminium (commonly referred to as polyAl) is also recovered and fully

recycled.

Using high heat and high pressure, the polyAl is transformed to tough, light weight and attractive

boards.

These composite boards replace wood and are useful for making roofing sheets and furniture items.

Hear the 'Story of Recycling' from Robert Swan

Hear the well-known polar explorer Robert Swan, in his

quest for environmental best practices, talk about the how

Tetra Pak is working in India to collect and recycle cartons

in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG9Upx1ji3Q

Who is Robert Swan?

Robert Swan, OBE, BA, FRGS, a polar explorer, environmentalist and the first man ever to walk unsupported

to both the North and South Poles. He is an exceptionally

gifted communicator and is regarded as one of the

world's top motivational speakers.

His contribution to education and the environment have

been recognized through his appointment as UN

Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, a Visiting Professorship

of the School of Environment at Leeds University and in

1994 he became Special Envoy to the Director General

of UNESCO. Read more about Robert Swan

Where are Tetra Pak cartons being recycled?

Khatema Fibres in Uttarakhand and Deluxe Recycling in Maharashtra are our major recyclers of used

cartons in India.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le_h1fl5M68

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How can you contribute?

Dispose Responsibly

It’s in your hands to make a difference to the environment and impact the lives of others. All you

need to do is dispose the 100% recyclable Tetra Pak cartons responsibly. Here’s how:

I. After you fully empty the contents, rinse and flatten the Tetra Pak cartons

II. Keep dry recyclables such as Tetra Pak cartons with other dry waste, before handing these

over to the waste collector

If you dispose your empty Tetra Pak cartons in this manner, your local waste collector will get clean

material and can earn better.

Tetra Pak works closely with the waste traders to educate them that Tetra Pak cartons are fully

recyclable and are highly valued by recyclers. Collected cartons are sent to paper mills and other

recyclers to be made into useful products such as paper, furniture and roofing sheets.

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Spread Awareness

You can pledge to recycle and spread awareness by educating those around you on the

recyclability of Tetra Pak cartons.

Here are some resources to get you started:

I. Some commonly asked questions and our responses II. Posters

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Some common questions asked

Are Tetra Pak packages environmentally-friendly?

The Tetra Pak package has the following environmental profile: It is primarily made of paperboard (75%),

which has a low carbon footprint, as its main raw material – wood fibre, if well-managed, is renewable. Wood

fibre also absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows. The highly energy efficient processes used by paper mills and

the package manufacturers reduces reliance on fossil fuel energy consumption recycling of Tetra Pak

packages also reduces the carbon footprint.

Tetra Pak packages to be largely paper-based, made primarily of a biodegradable and renewable material,

and recyclable - and therefore ‘environmentally-friendly’.

How does Tetra Pak ensure responsible sourcing of wood fibre?

Tetra Pak works with paperboard suppliers and paper mills to ensure that the wood we source is controlled

and not harvested illegally, and is traceable to acceptable and legal sources of wood. We work closely with

respected worldwide organizations like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Global Forest and Trade

Network (GFTN) and WWF who monitor and audit our sourcing as well as ensure sustainable forest

management practices.

What happens to empty Tetra Pak packages once disposed?

Empty Tetra Pak packages have good quality fibre content and can be recycled completely to make valuable

assets. If they are treated as waste, they will simply be thrown into the trash and get mixed with soiled waste

(left-over food, liquids etc.) and then most likely be taken away to be dumped into landfills. Empty Tetra Pak

packages need to be treated as ‘recyclable’ and collected separately (segregated from wet waste).

How can we contribute towards recycling of empty Tetra Pak packages?

Once the package is empty, just snip or tear it open and rinse the inside with water. Flatten the package –

this way, it takes up very little space in the trash bin. Always maintain 2 separate bins – one for ‘wet’ waste,

the other for ‘dry’ waste i.e. recyclables and other materials. This way, we will ensure the Tetra Pak

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packages remain clean and unsoiled and consequently, they retain their value in the waste trade. Just as

consumer education is vital in ensuring resources don’t get wasted, similarly it is important to convey this

important fact to rag pickers, waste traders, municipal authorities and recyclers. This way, we can minimize

the quantum of Tetra Pak packages going to landfills and ensure as many as possible go for recycling.

Is the recycling of Tetra Pak packages economically viable?

Yes, the recycling of Tetra Pak packages can be economically viable if the following factors are taken care

of:

The cost of collection and freight to the recycler is optimized

The recycler recycles not just the paper but also the poly-al fraction i.e. 100% of the package

The recycler is able to find a market for his end-products made of paper and poly-al and realizes a good

contribution

Where is Tetra Pak packages recycled?

Tetra Pak packages are collected and sent to recycling centres – typically paper mills that have hydra pulping

units for the recovery and recycling of the pulp as well as ancillary units that are capable of recycling the

recovered polyethylene – aluminum fraction

Do I have to remove the plastic cap or straw from my Tetra Pak package before recycling?

No. The caps and straws can be left in/on. They can also be recycled during the recycling process.

Do I need to wash and squash my Tetra Pak packages?

We advise that you wash/rinse your Tetra Pak packages to reduce any potential problems with odours or

pests. It’s also preferable that you flatten your packages as otherwise you will be paying to dispose of air or

liquid and you won’t be using your bin to its full capacity. Remember that just a couple of teaspoons of liquid

in a package can weigh as much as the package itself. If you leave liquid in the container it can contaminate

the material for recycling. This might result in the contractor rejecting the load and you incurring additional

costs.

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Rag pickers are usually children in India. Is there a way you at a company level can ensure along with NGOs

that this doesn’t happen?

We share a common vision with NGOs that represent waste-pickers community. In the long run, there will be

no waste-pickers and there will be no recyclable or biodegradable waste going to landfills. In the short run, it

is necessary to help waste-pickers augment their income. By pointing out that Tetra Pak packages are

recyclable and that they have a certain scrap value, we help waste-pickers through NGOs get a more

sustainable livelihood. We support NGOs through collection and funding support in their endeavor to ensure

that the children of waste-pickers get educated, and grow up to follow alternate careers.

When did Tetra Pak set the environmental targets? Have they changed?

Tetra Pak set out the ambitious targets to drive environmental excellence was set in 2011. The targets focus

on three key areas: environmental footprint, sustainable products and recycling. They are:

Double the global recycling rate for used beverage cartons by the end of the decade to 40%

Develop packaging based on 100% renewable materials and increase the supply of Forest Stewardship

Council™ (FSC™) certified paper board available for use in Tetra Pak packages to 100%

Cap climate impact across the value chain at 2010 levels by the end of 2020

How do the environment goals align with the company’s position as a producer of an increasing amount of

packaging?

Tetra Pak is a global food processing and packaging company, offering products that help consumers’

access safe, nutritious food in every part of the world. Our environment ambitions to make packages with the

lowest possible environmental footprint are completely aligned with the need for functionality, quality and

performance to safely deliver food to consumers.

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Is Tetra Pak doing anything to reduce the amount of packaging it produces? Wouldn’t this be the ultimate

environment target?

Packaging serves a vital purpose: to protect and safely deliver food efficiently to consumers wherever they

are around the world, and to minimize food waste. Tetra Pak packages are inherently materially efficient

packages. Through product innovation the amount of material used has been continuously reduced over the

years and this remains a focus area.

For example, we recently launched the Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Edge with LightCap 30, which offers

reduced raw material impact across the process – from FSC-certified paperboard material and a lighter cap

that is offered with renewable polymers, to an angled top and closure position, which allows 4 per cent

improved pallet efficiency.

Based on these results does Tetra Pak believe that it can reach all of its targets by 2020?

Yes. Our goals are very challenging and it will require a focused effort from the entire organization and close

cooperation with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. But we are confident that we are able to reach

our targets. It will make us more competitive in an ever more challenging world.

How is the company driving progress against reaching the targets on a daily, on-going basis?

Our environmental targets are integrated into the activities and priorities of every part of the organization that

influence reaching the goal – from design and development to supply chain. We track progress on regular

basis and identify needs for additional actions and resources to drive towards the goals. For example, for

recycling we have a central team with expertise about how collection, recycling, stakeholder engagement

work effectively and a global network of recycling experts that facilitate recycling in every country with all

local stakeholders. The centre of expertise and global network is the key to continue grow recycling rates

towards our 2020 target.

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Will Tetra Pak pursue the environmental targets regardless of impact on the bottom line? If the fully

renewable carton proves commercially unviable will it be dropped?

Our environmental ambitions are fully integrated as part of our business strategy. Reaching our

environmental ambitions will make us more competitive in a world with increasing strain of resources.

Clearly environmental and economic factors are both evaluated in the innovation and development process

to ensure they are commercially viable and, hence, successful in the marketplace.

What about water use and other important environmental issues? Why only focus on climate, recycling and

renewable materials?

Our strategy is focus on reducing the environmental footprint across the entire value chain and we work

within all areas, including water and energy. We have opted to set public targets within 3 key areas where

our footprint is most significant and achievements have most positive impact.

When will Tetra Pak revisit the targets?

We are dedicated towards reaching our targets and have no plans to revisit them. Environmental

performance is a fundamental part of our business strategy.

How is Tetra Pak working with customers, suppliers and consumers to address the total carbon emissions

issues?

Sustainable sourcing of raw materials is a critical part of the equation, which is why we work with our

suppliers to identify opportunities to cut energy losses and make the supply chain more efficient. Suppliers of

our base materials must report on their carbon footprint and commit to continuous improvement.

Value for customers is a priority for them, and we can help reduce their emissions by stepping up carbon-

lean innovations in food processing and packaging solutions, including the equipment and the packaging

material. Through smarter coordination and optimisation of equipment we can help customers' operations be

more efficient.

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Why did Tetra Pak move to a total value chain goal? Is this at the expense of pursuing other goals?

Reaching our 2020 climate goal will make our entire value chain more competitive and lean. In a world with

increasing strain of resources this is important for the future of our business.

What is Tetra Pak doing to accelerate the pace of recycling of its used cartons?

We are focusing on fostering development in the following key areas of the recycling value chain:

Infrastructure for collection & recycling

Competitive and efficient recycling technology

Secure sustainable business models for collection and recycling

Consumer awareness and action

Cooperation with all stakeholders

Why is the goal set at 40% of cartons when HDPE is much higher already?

Recycling rates for packaging vary from market to market – that’s as true for cartons as it is for plastic. For

example, in markets like Germany and Belgium systems are in place to handle carton recycling and,

therefore, the rates are greater than 70% and 80% respectively. When the collection infrastructure is there

the recycling rates can be comparable to others packaging materials.

In Europe, 37% of cartons are recycled, and total recovery rate (recycling and energy recovery) is 68%. This

is another difference between cans and carton packaging: Tetra Pak packages are suitable both for recycling

and energy recovery.

Reaching 40% recycling be 2020 is a very challenging target, it means tripling the amount of cartons

recycling compared to today as we continue to grow our business. Remember that this is a fully global target,

which means that we include a large number of markets where there is no legislation, infrastructure or

coordination of waste management. We work to make this happen.

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What is the progress on replacing the aluminium foil barriers?

Over the past few years, Tetra Pak has been working on several fronts to develop a next generation barrier

film for its traditional aseptic carton packaging. This is a key milestone in our objective of providing customers

with 100% renewable aseptic packaging.

Our aim is to find a cost-competitive replacement for aluminium foil as the protective barrier against external

elements like light and oxygen, significantly enhancing the environment profile of our packaging solutions

while maintaining excellent levels of protection for the product inside.

That work is making good progress, both in terms of developing the next-generation barrier and modifying

our existing filling machine technology to support the new, next-generation barrier material.

When will Tetra Pak have a product made of 100% renewable material on the market?

Our target remains 2020.

What are the challenges to reaching 100% renewable material?

The main challenges relate to replacing those materials currently non-renewable, with equivalent, bio-based

ones while:

Maintaining the current excellent levels of protection for the product inside;

Securing the necessary cost-competitiveness;

Ensuring an adequate availability throughout the world.

These criteria are in line with our philosophy of always offering our customers the best mix of product

protection, functionality, environmental performance and cost competitiveness.

Will the carton be the same cost, or is it a premium strategy?

The non-foil packaging solution, including the packaging material will be priced competitively.

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Have customers indicated a desire to have this product?

Yes. There is an increasing interest in the food and beverage industry to use renewable resources. It is

essential to the business performance of our customers as well as our own business performance. And it’s

essential to the well-being of the planet.