Food processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak has started to implement a cardboard packaging return system by installing the first packaging transfer facility in the Ülemiste shopping center in Tallinn.
The machine allows consumers to recycle cardboard packaging for efficient recycling alongside the usual recycling of other packaging.
The collection and recycling of packaging materials is crucial for the introduction of a low-carbon circular economy. Therefore, Tetra Pak is launching a cardboard return and recycling pilot project in Estonia, where in cooperation with technology supplier RVM Systems, cardboard packaging is being integrated into the existing collection system.
The cardboard packaging collection machine works like a standard packaging acceptance machine. Consumers are encouraged to return empty and unflatted food and beverage boxes, which are sorted by the machine as material for further processing. All types of cardboard packaging are accepted, regardless of the manufacturer, shape, size or product.
‘Recycled used cardboard packaging is of great value. Paper is a renewable material and therefore very valuable, as it can be reused several times. This process also allows other packaging components to be recycled. After recycling, cardboard packaging can be turned into cardboard boxes or napkins, while non-paper parts can be recycled into other products. The company will assess the extent to which such a packaging collection solution could increase the collection of cardboard for recycling in the Baltics, ”says Maija Baumane, Member of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Tetra Pak.
An internal test of the new concept was carried out at the company’s Northern European headquarters in Lund, Sweden, where the results were very encouraging. During the three-month pilot project, Tetra Pak employees successfully recycled more than 30,000 cartons.
Tarmo Koreiniks, Managing Director of RVM Systems, admits: “Reverse trading systems have proven to be an effective way to collect packaging materials for large-scale recycling. But when it comes to cardboard packaging, so much remains to be explored. Separate collection of cardboard packaging is an essential part of the transition to a low-carbon circular economy, as it increases the quantity and quality of materials available for recycling. ”
Depending on the results in Tallinn, Tetra Pak will assess to what extent and where this type of solution could contribute to increasing the collection of cartons.
“We are constantly researching how to further increase the collection and recycling of cardboard in Estonia and other European countries. The pilot project is just one step in Tetra Pak’s vision for the collection and recycling of all beverage packaging, so that in the future 0% of beverage packaging will turn into litter or be sent to landfill. We will continue to work with partners to build more recycling capacity around the world, ”says Baumane.
Packaging manufacturer SIA “Tetra Pak” in 2020 had a turnover of 20.732 million euros, which is 16.5% less compared to 2019, but the company’s profit in 2020 was 559,550 euros, which is 6.1% more than years ago.
Tetra Pak is wholly owned by Tetra Laval International SA, a company incorporated in Switzerland.