In the United States alone, 63% of solid waste is derived from packaging materials. With food packaging being largely single-use, it is critical for consumers to make intentional purchases at the grocery store. For this reason, many foods and beverage companies are switching to tetra packs, largely from the Swedish company Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak claims its product is 100% recyclable and has the lowest carbon footprint of any packaging product on the market. But these claims leave consumers wondering - are tetra packs truly sustainable, or are they greenwashing their product?
Tetra Packs As "Sustainable" Packaging
In the United States alone, 63% of solid waste is derived from packaging materials. With food packaging being largely single-use, it is critical for consumers to make intentional purchases at the grocery store. For this reason, many foods and beverage companies are switching to tetra packs, largely from the Swedish company Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak claims its product is 100% recyclable and has the lowest carbon footprint of any packaging product on the market. But these claims leave consumers wondering - are tetra packs truly sustainable, or are they greenwashing their product?
What Is A Tetra Pack?
Tetra packs are recyclable packaging made up of six layers to protect foods and beverages. These layers typically consist of 75% paperboard, 20% polyethylene, and 5% aluminum. Tetra packs were created to be a more eco-friendly option than standard plastic packaging.
When compared to plastic bottles, tetra packs are supposed to have a lower carbon footprint and be more recyclable. Tetra packs can be used to package a large variety of products, including cartons of milk, soup, nut milk, broth, and juice. Tetra Pak is the primary supplier of this material, although other companies have come up with their own take on plastic-coated paper packaging.
Are Tetra Packs Sustainable?
Unfortunately, due to the thin and complex layers of tetra packs, not all recycling companies accept them. In fact, only one brand in Vietnam accepts tetra packs to be recycled. In 2018, the recycling rate for tetra packs was only 26%.
And combined with the fact that they only use virgin paper fibers, tetra packs might not be as sustainable as they claim. The layers of polyethylene, although thin, still contribute to the global plastic pollution problem. And even if 100% of tetra packs were to someday be recycled, paper can only be recycled between five and seven times, and the uses for recycled aluminum and polyethylene are extremely limited.
However, when it comes to its sustainability, the answer might not be so clear-cut. It is worth noting that the brand Tetra Pak has moved towards using 80% renewable electricity, including solar power. They claim to be actively phasing out the use of greenhouse gasses by onsite vehicles, such as forklifts and aim to use 100% renewable electricity by the year 2030. The CEO of Tetra Pak also claims they are on track to be a net zero greenhouse gas emissions company.
According to their 2022 sustainability report, Tetra Pak has sold 17.6-billion plant-based packages and 10.8-billion plant-based caps, which contributed to the conservation of 96-kilo tonnes of CO2 emissions that would be caused by standard plastic packaging. While Tetra Pak’s claims about 100% recyclability aren’t fully transparent, purchasing an item in a tetra pack is still a more sustainable solution than buying an item in a plastic bottle.
Why Businesses Should Use Sustainable Packaging
Food waste is a prominent global issue that calls for more sustainable packaging solutions. The rise of processed foods in the world has led to an increase in plastic production. Packaging that is difficult to degrade consists of cardboard, plastic, ceramics, wax, metal, and more. During the manufacturing of plastic, one pound of plastic produces three pounds of CO2. Plastic production utilizes 4% of the world’s total fossil fuel supply. And with 12.7 metric tons of discarded plastic ending up in oceans each year, our environment is polluted by plastic, and health risks are imposed on marine life.
Alternative Solutions To Tetra Packs
When shopping for foods and beverages in eco-friendly packaging, some of the best materials to look for are aluminum, glass, and steel. These materials can be recycled far more times than plastic or paper with no loss of quality. Purchasing locally sourced food in a glass jar will be the more sustainable choice between and a tetra pack. However, while not always as convenient, the best way to eat sustainably is to make your own soups and beverages at home whenever possible. But, if you do purchase a food item in tetra packaging, you can still do your part by ensuring proper recycling of the item.
Key Takeaways
- 63% of waste in the United States is derived from packaging materials.
- Tetra Pak offers a food packaging solution that conserves greenhouse gas emissions.
- Against their claims, Tetra Pak is not always 100% recyclable.
- Tetra Pak is made from virgin paper fibers, plastic, and aluminum - which is not necessarily sustainable.
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In the United States alone, 63% of solid waste is derived from packaging materials. With food packaging being largely single-use, it is critical for consumers to make intentional purchases at the grocery store. For this reason, many foods and beverage companies are switching to tetra packs, largely from the Swedish company Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak claims its product is 100% recyclable and has the lowest carbon footprint of any packaging product on the market. But these claims leave consumers wondering - are tetra packs truly sustainable, or are they greenwashing their product?
What is a Tetra Pack?
Tetra packs are recyclable packaging made up of six layers to protect foods and beverages. These layers typically consist of 75% paperboard, 20% polyethylene, and 5% aluminum. Tetra packs were created to be a more eco-friendly option than standard plastic packaging.
When compared to plastic bottles, tetra packs are supposed to have a lower carbon footprint and be more recyclable. Tetra packs can be used to package a large variety of products, including cartons of milk, soup, nut milk, broth, and juice. Tetra Pak is the primary supplier of this material, although other companies have come up with their own take on plastic-coated paper packaging.
Are Tetra Packs Sustainable?
Unfortunately, due to the thin and complex layers of tetra packs, not all recycling companies accept them. In fact, only one brand in Vietnam accepts tetra packs to be recycled. In 2018, the recycling rate for tetra packs was only 26%.
And combined with the fact that they only use virgin paper fibers, tetra packs might not be as sustainable as they claim. The layers of polyethylene, although thin, still contribute to the global plastic pollution problem. And even if 100% of tetra packs were to someday be recycled, paper can only be recycled between five and seven times, and the uses for recycled aluminum and polyethylene are extremely limited.
However, when it comes to its sustainability, the answer might not be so clear-cut. It is worth noting that the brand Tetra Pak has moved towards using 80% renewable electricity, including solar power. They claim to be actively phasing out the use of greenhouse gasses by onsite vehicles, such as forklifts and aim to use 100% renewable electricity by the year 2030. The CEO of Tetra Pak also claims they are on track to be a net zero greenhouse gas emissions company.
According to their 2022 sustainability report, Tetra Pak has sold 17.6-billion plant-based packages and 10.8-billion plant-based caps, which contributed to the conservation of 96-kilo tonnes of CO2 emissions that would be caused by standard plastic packaging. While Tetra Pak’s claims about 100% recyclability aren’t fully transparent, purchasing an item in a tetra pack is still a more sustainable solution than buying an item in a plastic bottle.
Why Businesses Should Use Sustainable Packaging
Food waste is a prominent global issue that calls for more sustainable packaging solutions. The rise of processed foods in the world has led to an increase in plastic production. Packaging that is difficult to degrade consists of cardboard, plastic, ceramics, wax, metal, and more. During the manufacturing of plastic, one pound of plastic produces three pounds of CO2. Plastic production utilizes 4% of the world’s total fossil fuel supply. And with 12.7 metric tons of discarded plastic ending up in oceans each year, our environment is polluted by plastic, and health risks are imposed on marine life.
Alternative Solutions to Tetra Packs
When shopping for foods and beverages in eco-friendly packaging, some of the best materials to look for are aluminum, glass, and steel. These materials can be recycled far more times than plastic or paper with no loss of quality. Purchasing locally sourced food in a glass jar will be the more sustainable choice between and a tetra pack. However, while not always as convenient, the best way to eat sustainably is to make your own soups and beverages at home whenever possible. But, if you do purchase a food item in tetra packaging, you can still do your part by ensuring proper recycling of the item.
Key Takeaways
- 63% of waste in the United States is derived from packaging materials.
- Tetra Pak offers a food packaging solution that conserves greenhouse gas emissions.
- Against their claims, Tetra Pak is not always 100% recyclable.
- Tetra Pak is made from virgin paper fibers, plastic, and aluminum - which is not necessarily sustainable.
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