JAPAN – Oji Holdings and Nihon Tetra Pak K.K. have united to spearhead Japan’s inaugural recycling system tailored specifically for aseptic carton packages, marking a pivotal stride towards fostering a circular economy for paper resources in the nation.
This pioneering initiative aims to repurpose paper packages and paper cups laminated with polyethylene for chilled products into corrugated board, thus curbing waste and championing sustainability.
The newly established recycling system collects aseptic carton packages from various sources, including retail and municipal collections, as well as waste paper generated from packaging factories.
These materials undergo recycling into raw materials for corrugated board at Oji Group’s facilities via material recycling.
The recycled corrugated board will not only serve as collection receptacles for carton packages but also aspire to find applications in the food and beverage sector.
Presently, the bulk of aseptic carton packages in Japan are incinerated, with only a meager fraction being repurposed into paper products.
This low recycling rate poses a formidable challenge, underscoring the urgent need for more efficacious recycling solutions.
The initiative supports the realization of a circular economy and aids in achieving net-zero emissions at food and beverage company factories.
Oji Group aims to achieve a paper recycling rate of more than 70% as part of its ‘Environmental Vision 2050’ and ‘Environmental Action Goals 2030.’
Tetra Pak has also set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout its value chain by 2050.
To achieve this, the company is designing its cartons to make them more attractive to recyclers, among other modifications.
Yuko Ohmori, Sustainability Director at Nihon Tetra Pak K.K., remarked, “While aseptic carton packages have been repurposed into cardboard abroad, this marks the inaugural endeavor in Japan.
“We anticipate that the novel end product will broaden access to aseptic carton package recycling. Furthermore, leveraging such cardboard in the food and beverage sector will facilitate the realization of an even more low-carbon and recycling-oriented society.”
The establishment of this recycling system represents a significant milestone in Japan’s quest to foster sustainability and diminish waste.
Through collaboration with Tetra Pak, Oji Holdings Corporation assumes a pioneering role in steering Japan towards a more circular economy for paper resources.
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