The company is now recycling almost 23% of carton packages sold. This has been achieved through active engagement of the entire recycling value chain and by mobilizing consumers to finding markets for new products made from recycled materials.

However, in addition to recognising its progress, Tetra Pak’s update highlights the challenge of reaching its 2020 target of a 40% recycling rate for consumer beverage cartons.

In line with the company’s expected sales increase, to reach this goal Tetra Pak must triple the amount of recycled packages from 2010 to 2020, reaching about 100 billion recycled packages in 2020.

The company says its approach is to improve recyclability of its products as well as increasing the rates of recycling at a global level.

Tetra Pak Group CEO Dennis Jönsson said: “We have no illusions about the challenges we face. But we believe that by finding new ways to process, package and distribute food and to deal with waste, and by working with partners throughout the value chain, we will make a difference for the futures of the company, the industry and the society,” added Jönsson.

The food processing and packaging company increased the recycling of used cartons by 10.1% in 2012 from 528 kilotonnes to 581 kilotonnes.

Leigh Stringer

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