Reflecting on the treble growth, Masale Manoko, Tetra Pak's sustainability manager, says, "The significant increase in growth this year highlights the effectiveness of our key partnerships. Our strategy, built on strong collaborations with our customers, has been instrumental in advancing our sustainability initiatives and making a positive impact on the market."
Manoko says that Tetra Pak had spent the past year putting in systems and collaborating with major recyclers Mpact and Gayatri Paper Mills, which have incorporated Tetra Pak (LBP) carton collection into their operations.
"In addition to the budget of R17 million for 2024, Tetra Pak has invested a further R3.5-million to enhance collection systems by deploying eleven young professionals to work with buy-back centres nationally as recycling champions to educate waste pickers and buy-back centres about Tetra Pak's carton recycling across South Africa," Manoko says.
Tetra Pak's managing director for Southern Africa, Klaus Plenge says Tetra Pak has led the way in recycling efforts for LBP, distinguishing itself in South Africa as the principal producer actively involved in this initiative. To date, the company has invested over R54-million in the infrastructure and processes required to efficiently manage and recycle cartons.
In January 2023, Tetra Pak partnered with Petco a prominent producer responsibility organisation, to drive its sustainability programme. Through the collaboration, Petco, which had previously focused on PET plastics, is now also recycling cartons, says Tetra Pak.
Commenting on the growth figures, Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz says she was excited by Tetra Pak's results, which was a testament to the successful partnership with the packaging solutions company aimed at bolstering the collection and recycling of LBP.
"We've now taken everything we've learned over our 19-year journey with PET and are applying our experience to building a sustainable model for LBP. This is in line with our expanded vision to drive circularity within the broader packaging-value-chain," says the Tetra Pak team.
By leveraging business alliances, making significant investments and expanding its initiatives, Tetra Pak says that it is steadfast in its dedication to achieving a substantial increase in recycling rates and fostering sustainability in South Africa and beyond.
Notably, Tetra Pak launched its schools programme with 22 schools in the Eastern Cape in 2023, which resulted in more than 270 000 LBP packages collected.
According to Tetra Pak, prizes included recycled PolyAl school desks produced in South Africa and other school equipment. The company plans to continue and expand this initiative to four provinces in the third quarter of 2024.
Tetra Pak says that it was recently honoured with a prestigious Petco Award for its outstanding environmental education and awareness efforts within local communities.
"Recycling is a cooperative effort, which requires all hands on deck, so we call on everyone from schools, communities, businesses and governments to become involved in creating an effective and sustainable recycling ecosystem. Our focus is to build a sustainable and efficient recycling value chain," concludes Plenge.
For more information, visit www.tetrapak.com. You can also follow Tetra Pak on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of Canva