In addition, Tetra Pak’s latest sustainability update shows that overall 3.6 billion more Tetra Pak packages were recycled in 2012 compared with 2011.

The multinational firm’s bases in Luxembourg and Belgium are recording recycling rates of more than 80%, while sites in China, Russia and Arabia, starting from a low base, have virtually doubled their recycling rates during the past three years.

The company aims to increase packaging based on 100% renewable materials and to increase the supply of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper board to 100%, with an interim target to achieve 50% in 2012, which the company fell short of.

Despite this, it did increase the supply of FSC certified paperboard to 38%, up from 34% in 2011 and claims it is working to bring this measure back on track by improving internal systems to better match supply and demand.

The company also wants to cap climate impact across the value chain at 2010 levels by the end of 2020. Initial figures indicate carbon emissions through its own operations were reduced by 2 kilotonnes CO2 equivalents in 2012 compared with a 2010 baseline, despite a 9.5% increase in production volumes over the same period.

Tetra Pak’s overall aim is to provide fully sustainable packaging, using only renewable materials and leaving a minimal environmental footprint and zero waste.

Tetra Pak president and chief executive Dennis Jönsson said: “Strong environmental performance goes hand in hand with long-term business success, and we are working closely with our suppliers, customers and other external parties to ensure that we deliver on our environmental commitments, helping all of us to achieve our sustainable growth ambitions.”

Conor McGlone

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