FOOD processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak Southern Africa has significantly increased the recycling rate of Liquid Board Packaging (LBP) to over 20% by mid-2024. This growth has been driven by strategic partnerships and collaborations. The company is aiming to achieve a recycling collection rate of 28% by the end of the year, demonstrating its rapid progress towards its ambition of 40% by 2030.
Reflecting on the treble growth, Masale Manoko, Tetra Pak’s sustainability manager, emphasised the crucial role of collaboration in achieving the company’s sustainability goals. “The significant increase in growth this year highlights the effectiveness of our key partnerships. Our strategy, built on strong collaborations with our customers, has been instrumental in advancing our sustainability initiatives and making a positive impact on the market.”
Manoko said Tetra Pak had spent the past year putting in systems and collaborating with major recyclers Mpact and Gayatri Paper Mills, which have incorporated Tetra Pak (LBP) carton collection into their operations.
“In addition to the budget of R17 million for 2024, Tetra Pak has invested a further R3.5 million to enhance collection systems by deploying eleven young professionals to work with buy-back centres nationally as recycling champions to educate waste pickers and buy-back centres about Tetra Pak’s carton recycling across South Africa,” Manoko said.
Tetra Pak’s managing director for southern Africa Klaus Plenge says Tetra Pak has led the way in recycling efforts for LBP, distinguishing itself in South Africa as the principal producer actively involved in this initiative. To date, the company has invested over R54 million in the infrastructure and processes required to efficiently manage and recycle cartons.
In January 2023, Tetra Pak partnered with Petco a prominent producer responsibility organisation, to drive its sustainability programme. Through the collaboration, Petco, which had previously focused on PET plastics, is now also recycling cartons.
Commenting on the growth figures, Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz said she was excited by Tetra Pak’s results, which was testament to the successful partnership with the packaging solutions company aimed at bolstering the collection and recycling of LBP.
“We’ve now taken everything we’ve learned over our 19-year journey with PET and are applying our experience to building a sustainable model for LBP. This is in line with our expanded vision to drive circularity within the broader packaging value chain.”
By leveraging business alliances, making significant investments, and expanding its initiatives, Tetra Pak is steadfast in its dedication to achieving a substantial increase in recycling rates and fostering sustainability in South Africa and beyond.
Schools programme
Notably, Tetra Pak launched its schools programme with 22 schools in the Eastern Cape last year which resulted in more than 270,000 LBP packages collected. Prizes included recycled PolyAl school desks produced in South Africa and other school equipment. The company plans to continue and expand this initiative to four provinces in the third quarter of 2024. Tetra Pak was recently honoured with a prestigious Petco Award for its outstanding environmental education and awareness efforts within local communities.
“Recycling is a cooperative effort which requires all hands on deck, so we call on everyone from schools, communities, businesses, and governments to become involved in creating an effective and sustainable recycling ecosystem. Our focus is to build a sustainable and efficient recycling value chain,” says Plenge.
