Tetra Pak targets 40% product recycling by 2030

SOUTH AFRICA – Tetra Pak Southern Africa is on track to reach an ambitious 40% recycling rate for its liquid board packaging (LBP) by 2030, a target sustainability manager Masale Manoko believes may be surpassed.

Currently, the company reports a recycling rate of 24% and is confident in exceeding its goals sooner than anticipated, thanks to its comprehensive recycling strategy and ongoing investments.

As the only major LBP producer in South Africa actively investing in recycling infrastructure, Tetra Pak has partnered with key players in the sector, including Gayatri Paper Mill, Mpact Recycling Paper Mill, PET recycling organization Petco, and Infinity Industry, a producer of recycled products.

This collaborative approach has enabled Tetra Pak to steadily increase its recycling rate, reaching 8% in 2023 and showing exponential growth.

Manoko attributes the success to targeted investments in collection and processing, which are critical in a market where traditional recycling methods are insufficient.

By deploying 11 young graduates across South Africa’s nine provinces, Tetra Pak has significantly enhanced recycling coordination through buyback centres, landfills, and partnerships with municipalities.

“These graduates engage daily with stakeholders, from waste pickers to municipalities, to boost collections,” explained Manoko.

Their presence on the ground has improved monitoring and responsiveness to recycling trends and challenges.

To date, the company has invested over R54 million (US$3.01m) in recycling infrastructure, with R17 million (US$0.95m) allocated this year to boost processing capabilities and R3.5 million (US$0.19m) dedicated to enhancing collection systems.

These funds have increased buyback centres from 32 to over 220 in just two years, creating jobs and strengthening the supply chain.

Tetra Pak’s approach goes beyond collection. It invests in facilities that handle all components of LBP packaging, including paper, polymer, and aluminum (poly alu).

A significant upgrade to Gayatri’s processing plant now enables it to process 320 tons of poly alu, a material that comprises 30% of each carton.

“For every 300 tons of poly alu processed, we recycle approximately 1,000 tons of cartons,” Manoko noted, underscoring the impact of these upgrades.

Tetra Pak has invested in downstream industries, including Infinite Industries, which converts recycled poly alu into products like roofing sheets, laptop stands, and furniture to stimulate demand for recycled materials.

The company has also supported Regenerated Polymers, South Africa’s first producer of modular pallets containing 40% recycled polyethylene.

Tetra Pak’s commitment to recycling extends to public awareness, especially among younger generations. Following a successful pilot of its Recycle Carton competition in the Eastern Cape last year, the campaign now includes over 320 schools across multiple provinces.

The 2024 initiative, run in collaboration with Orange Grove, RFG Foods, and Woodlands Dairy, aims to educate over 300,000 learners about the importance of recycling.

Through sustained investments, strategic partnerships, and educational outreach, Tetra Pak is making strides toward its 40% recycling target and setting a new standard for sustainability in the South African packaging industry.

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