THIS BROCHURECONTAINS 13

RECYCLED TETRAPAK CARTONS*

Recycling of used beverage cartons in Europe

Introduction

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IN 2003, THE TOTAL RECYCLING RATE OF BEVERAGECARTONS IN THE EUROPEAN MARKET (EU15) WAS

Recycling of beverage cartons in EuropeIn 2003, the beverage carton industry achieved30% recycling and 58% total recovery1 of allcarton packaging in the previous European Unionof 15 member states. During the same period, theenlarged European Union of 25 member statesachieved 28% recycling and 53% total recovery.Beverage cartons can be recycled into new paperproducts such as office stationery, tissue paper,cardboard, corrugated board and paper bags.

Sharing our recycling experience worldwideAt Tetra Pak we are committed to achieving a25% recycling rate worldwide for our used cartonpackages by the end of 2008. While there is nolegal demand for recycling in most countriesoutside Europe, we have set ourselves this targetto make a positive contribution to thecommunities we serve.

Around the world, Tetra Pak works withstakeholders to develop local collection andrecycling programmes. We employ over 100professionals dedicated to environmental issues.

In Europe, used beverage cartons arecollected from households and recycledinto new products.

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BEVERAGE CARTON RECYCLINGAND RECOVERY IN WESTERNEUROPE HAS INCREASED BY OVER200% IN THE LAST 10 YEARS

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Introduction 01

The Tetra Pak vision 03

Beverage cartons and packaging legislation 04

From Tetra Pak cartons to new paper products 06

Collection 08

Sorting 10

Recycling 12

Costs and benefits of beverage carton recycling 14

Reduction of environmental impacts 16

Did you know? 18

Key learnings 20

Our commitment 21

CONTENTS

This brochure is printed onNorgraph Recy White (30500)paper containing a minimum of80% recycled beverage cartons.*

1 Total recovery includes both recycling and energy recovery.

We commit to making food safeand available everywhere

Keeping foods fresh and accessibleTetra Pak packages provide an efficient andenvironmentally sound way to distribute foodsboth at ambient temperatures and underrefrigerated conditions. Our packaging isdesigned not only to protect food from damagecaused by light, oxygen and micro-organisms but also to prevent food from being wastedduring distribution.

Tetra Pak’s aseptic carton packaging protectsfresh food through ‘aseptic’ processing, whichensures the long-term protection of delicatenutrients and flavours. The aseptic processdestroys harmful micro-organisms by exposingfood to very high temperatures for just a fewseconds and then, while still in a sterileenvironment, cools, fills and seals it in apre-sterilised carton.

Designed with the environment in mindTetra Pak packages are not only recyclable andrecycled, their very concept is designed with the environment in mind. Tetra Pak packaging is mainly made of paperboard, which ismanufactured from a renewable resource – the forest. In Europe, all fibres in our cartonsoriginate from forests where high standards of Forest Management practices are applied.

Our product development and innovationincorporate life-cycle assessment, design forthe environment and, to ensure compliance withthe essential requirements of the EuropeanPackaging Directive, use of the EuropeanStandardisation Organisation (CEN) preventionstandard. A direct benefit of this approach isthat our packages are made using the minimumamount of raw materials necessary to deliver therequired protection and functionality.

Tetra Pak packages are produced in anenvironmentally sound mannerIn all our converting plants we applyenvironmental management systems certifiedto the ISO 14001 international standard.

Third party reviewed life cycle assessments,spanning raw material production to recoveryand recycling of used beverage cartons, haveclearly indicated their low environmental impacts.

Consumer preference today is for convenient and functional packaging. We have expandedour product range in response to this trendand an increasing number of our packagesare re-closable. We have achieved this greaterfunctionality without compromisingenvironmental performance.

03

The Tetra Pak vision

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WHAT IS A TETRA PAK CARTON MADE OF?

Internal polyethylene layer seals in the liquidPolyethylene layer needed for lamination processAluminium foil provides a barrier to oxygen, flavours and lightPolyethylene adhesion layer needed for lamination processPaperboard gives stability and strengthPolyethylene layer protects food from external moisture

Tetra Pak cartons designed to distribute food products under refrigerated conditions may not contain aluminium.

PACKAGING’S PRIMARY ROLE IS TO PROTECTTHE VALUABLE FOOD PRODUCT IT CONTAINSFROM BEING WASTED

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- Milk- Fruit juices- Beverages- Soya- Wine- Water- Tomato products- Soups- Desserts- Nutritionals (foods

with functionaladditives such as calcium andvitamins)

litres of food in Tetra Pak cartonswere consumed in 200433billion

Tetra Pak’s aseptic carton packaging keeps a wide range of food fresh for months withoutrefrigeration including:

5%of Europe’s paper

packaging consists of beverage cartons and this is included in the EU recycling

target for paper packaging

Beverage cartons and packaging legislation

In Europe legislation sets the frameworkfor recycling of used packaging

European legislationThe European Union (EU) has set an overallpackaging waste recycling target of between 55% and 80% and a minimum recovery target of 60% to be achieved by all EU member states.In addition, each state is required to achievematerial specific recycling targets of 60% forglass and paper packaging, 50% for metal and22.5% for plastic packaging.

Most EU countries are required to achieve thesetargets by 2008. Greece, Ireland and Portugalhave derogation until 2011, and the countries thatjoined the EU in May 2004 will also have severalmore years to comply.

Beverage cartons represent about 5% of allpaper packaging in Europe and are includedin the target for paper packaging recycling.

National legislationMost EU member states have adopted materialspecific recycling targets following the materialcategories as defined in the EU packaging wastelegislation. Austria, Germany and Hungary definedadditional recycling targets for multi-materialpackaging, which include beverage cartons.

DEADLINE FOR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO COMPLY WITH EUROPEAN PACKAGING WASTE LEGISLATION

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Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain,Sweden, United Kingdom

Greece, Ireland, Portugal

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia

Malta

Poland

Latvia

2008

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

TARGET DATE COUNTRY

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In Europe, used beverage cartons arecollected separately from householdwaste for recycling. Most commonly,people place them in the same containeras other paper packaging or together withplastic and metal packaging. Colour codedbags or rigid containers are used forcollection at the doorstep. Alternatively,drop-off points at supermarkets andspecial centres can be used.

Waste paper is mainly separated into three grades:newsprint, corrugated board and mixed paper.Beverage cartons either remain in mixed paper orare separated into a fourth grade, depending on thespecific requirements of recyclers.

Recycled beverage carton fibres are usedin products ranging from stationery, kitchenrolls and paper bags to cardboard boxes.

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Sorted beverage cartons are pressed intobales for transportation to recycling mills.These bales contain either mixed paper(including beverage cartons) or beveragecartons only. ð

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In 2003, 11 billion used beverage cartons were collected for recycling fromhouseholds in Europe. This was achievedby collecting used packaging independentlyof household waste.

Systems are developed for local conditionsIn most European countries used packaging is left at the doorstep for collection in specialcontainers or bags (kerbside collection).Alternatively, people take their used packaging to drop-off containers or collection points (bringsystem). Kerbside collection is mainly used inurban areas whereas bring systems are used inboth urban and rural areas.

As a general practice, Tetra Pak packages areeither collected in designated paper or wastepaper packaging containers or in the samecontainer as other lightweight packaging such as plastic bottles and cans. In Austria, citizensseparate Tetra Pak cartons and either place themin a special cardboard box (Öko-Box) at theirdoorstep for collection or mail the Öko-Boxdirectly to a nominated recycler.

Every European country has developed its ownsystem to collect packaging waste according tolocal conditions. Tetra Pak has adopted a leadingrole in setting up packaging waste collectionsystems in close co-operation with industrypartners and other stakeholders.

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Linking nutrition to sound environmental practicesMany European countries have school drinks programmes where pupils areprovided with milk or juice in beverage cartons. Where appropriate, Tetra Pak hascomplemented these programmes by initiating school waste packaging collectionsystems to help create environmental awareness and encourage good environmentalbehaviour among children. Tetra Pak activities have included the provision oflogistical assistance, drop-off containers, communications and teaching materials.

Collection

Tetra Pak packages collected togetherwith paper or other paper packaging:Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland,France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakiaand Sweden.

Tetra Pak packages collected togetherwith plastic bottles and cans:Belgium, Czech Republic, France,Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg,Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

Tetra Pak packages collected separately:Austria (using the Öko-Box).

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280,000tonnes of beverage cartonswere collected in 2003 (EU 25)

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Since beverage cartons are collectedtogether with other packaging types fromhouseholds, sorting is needed in manycases to separate different materials or paper grades for recycling.

The European List of Standard Grades ofRecovered Paper and Board defines usedbeverage carton as a tradable waste paper grade(EN 643 5 03 00: Polyethylene coated used liquidpackaging board, with or without aluminium,containing a minimum of 50% fibres).

The EN 643 Standard is published by theEuropean Paper Industry and the EuropeanStandardisation Organisation (CEN). Therefore,they can be sent from one EU member stateto another for recycling in paper mills accordingto the EU Waste Shipment Regulation.

470 000

Sorting

Tetra Pak cartons collected with mixed paper or paper packaging Beverage cartons represent less than 1% of allwaste paper collected in Europe and less than 5% of all paper packaging put on the market in Europe.

Tetra Pak cartons collected from households in an appropriate paper container are either sent to a paper sorting centre or are baled andsent directly to a paper mill. This waste paper is typically separated into newsprint, corrugatedboard and mixed paper. Generally beverage cartonsremain with the mixed paper grade for recycling if they represent less than 5% of the total.

In Sweden however, where used beverage cartonsrepresent up to 35% of the paper packagingcollected, they are recycled together with theother paper packaging without any sorting.

Separating Tetra Pak cartons from lightweight packagingIn countries where beverage cartons are collectedin the same container as plastic bottles and cans,the different materials must be separated eithermanually or automatically before being sent torecycling plants.

1110

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BALES (WEIGHING 600 KG EACH) OF USED BEVERAGECARTONS WERE SENT TO PAPER MILLS IN 2003 (EU 25)

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Recycling

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INCREASE IN RECYCLED BEVERAGE CARTONS (METRIC TONNES)

1992: 6,000 tonnes

1999: 190,000 tonnes

2003: 280,000 tonnes

The technology for recycling beveragecartons is simple and widely available

Fibre recovery Paper mills recycle Tetra Pak cartons, eitherseparately or together with other paper grades,by separating paper fibres from polyethylene andaluminium using a water-based process knownas repulping.

The virgin fibres used in Tetra Pak products arespecially selected to give maximum strength andstiffness for the lowest possible weight. Whenrecycled, these fibres provide a valuable rawmaterial for new paper and board products.

Recovery of non-fibre componentsRecovery and recycling of aluminium andpolyethylene extracted during the repulpingprocess varies from country to country. Forexample, in Finland one paper mill recovers theenergy to generate steam that is used either fordrying pulp or producing electricity. This millalso generates aluminium powder for re-smelting.

In Germany, repulping residues are used incement kilns where polyethylene serves as ahigh-energy fuel. The aluminium is recoveredas aluminium trioxide, which is an essentialingredient in cement.

Suitability for energy recoveryTetra Pak cartons have a high calorific value,generally in the range of 20-25 MJ/kg, and aretherefore suitable for energy recovery.

The calorific value of the non-fibre polyethyleneand aluminium components available after thefibre recycling process is typically around 30 MJ/kg.

Tests have shown that Tetra Pak cartons arecomparable to bio-fuels such as wood chipsand bark in terms of emissions.

20 BEVERAGE CARTON RECYCLING PLANTS IN EUROPE 2004

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12%increase in beveragecarton recycling everyyear for the last decade

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Collection and sorting are the key costfactors for beverage carton recycling

In most EU countries, local authorities areresponsible for the collection of household wasteand therefore also meet the basic costs for thecollection of used packaging. The additional costsof collecting used packaging separately fromhousehold waste are normally recovered fromrecycling fees (e.g. ‘Green Dot’ fees) paid byconsumers. In Austria, Belgium, Germany andSweden packaging waste collection is fullyfinanced by recycling fees.

Recycling fees vary widely from country tocountry. They are determined by the configurationof the collection systems, infrastructure, labourcosts, transport distances and quantities ofmaterials. Cost-effective beverage cartoncollection and sorting requires economy of scale.

As a general rule, separate collection of beveragecartons tends to be the most costly solution.Beverage carton collection with other lightweightpackaging is less expensive. Collection with paperis the most cost-effective alternative.

Low additional investment for recyclersRecycling Tetra Pak cartons may not require anyadditional investment for paper recycling mills. The revenues generated by paper mills fromrecycling used Tetra Pak cartons depend on thequantities collected, types of end products andfluctuating waste paper prices.

Since revenues from recyclers for packagingmaterial do not cover collection costs, additionalfinancing via recycling fees is required in allEuropean countries. Therefore, it is importantthat governments and industry jointly defineachievable recycling rates at a reasonable costto society.

costsbenefits

Costs and benefits of beverage carton recycling

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RECYCLING FEES FOR A 1 LITRE TETRA PAK PACKAGE IN DIFFERENT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES 2005 (€C)

UKSweden

SpainSloveniaSlovakiaPortugalPolandNorw

ayLuxem

bourgLithuaniaLatviaItalyIrelandHungaryGreeceGerm

anyFranceFinlandEstoniaCzech RepublicBelgiumAustria

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

IN COUNTRIES WITH A HIGHBEVERAGE CARTON CONSUMPTIONOR WELL ESTABLISHED COLLECTIONSCHEMES, THERE IS A HIGH DEMANDAMONG RECYCLERS FOR USEDBEVERAGE CARTONS

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RURAL COLLECTION IS MOREEXPENSIVE THAN COLLECTION IN URBAN AREAS, DUE TOHIGHER LOGISTICS COSTS

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avoids waste of resources...It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 250,000 tonnes...

produces new products such as kitchen rolls, paper bags, envelopes, corrugated board.

An LCA study commissioned by Germany’s Umweltbundesamt in2000 found that beverage cartonsare “environmentally advantageous”. They show environmental performance comparable to refillable glass bottles.

Reduction of environmental impacts

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Recycling 280,000 tonnes of beverage cartons has positive environmental impacts...

Did you know?

A FILLED CARTON’S RECTANGULARSHAPE TAKES UP MINIMUM SPACEIN DISTRIBUTION

TETRA PAK CARTONS ARE RECYCLEDINTO NEW PAPER PRODUCTS IN 20EUROPEAN PAPER MILLS

ASEPTIC TETRA PAK CARTONSREQUIRE NO REFRIGERATIONAND THUS SAVE ENERGY

1918

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BY RECYCLING 1 TONNE OF BEVERAGE CARTONSYOU SAVE 900 KG OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONSAND 2 TO 3 CUBIC METRES OF LANDFILL

TETRA PAK CARTONS ARE MADE UP OF ON AVERAGE: RECOVERED PAPER

FIBRES CAN BE RECYCLED5 TO 7 TIMES

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SINCE 1994, THE AMOUNT OF TETRAPAK CARTONS RECYCLED INCREASEDBY MORE THAN 12% (AVERAGE)EVERY YEAR IN EUROPE

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EVERY MINUTE ONE BALE OF USEDBEVERAGE CARTONS IS RECYCLEDIN EUROPE

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Recycling reducesenvironmental impactsThe recycling of used beverage cartons tosubstitute virgin fibre in paper productioncontributes to increased efficiency in the useof natural resources and a reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions. Energy recoverymay have similar environmental benefits inthose countries where a high level of energyrecovery replaces use of fossil fuels.

Key learnings

Analysis of recycling programmes shows that there are many criteria that can affectthe level of overall costs and benefits. The following are the key findings:

Co-operation between industry, authoritiesand citizens is key to successEfficient recycling of used beverage cartons is greatlydependent on people’s commitment and behaviour. It also depends on the availability of collection points,clear communication and the ability to collect variousmaterials at the same time.

Our commitment

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Use the minimum amount of materialsnecessary to ensure the integrity andfunctionality of our packages and therebyensure appropriate protection for theproducts contained within them.

Ensure that our packages are suitable for recycling.

Facilitate and promote local collection andrecycling activities for our used packages.

Support development of recyclingtechnologies and capacity.

Communicate effectively with consumers.

Continue to establish beverage cartonrecycling outside Europe.

Support environmental education in schools.

Tetra Pak is committed to making foodsafe and available everywhere. We operatein more than 165 markets and employapproximately 20,100 people worldwide.

Furthermore, Tetra Pak is committed torunning its business in an environmentallysound and sustainable manner. We setgoals for continuous improvement in ourdevelopment, sourcing, manufacturing andtransportation activities.

Our belief is in responsible industryleadership and creating profitable growth inharmony with environmental sustainabilityand good corporate citizenship.

WE WILL

WHAT THIS MEANS

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Recycling technologyis availableThe technology to recyclebeverage cartons already existsand is widely used. However, in many countries, the challengefor beverage carton recycling is to encourage separatepackaging waste collection fromhouseholds in order to establisha steady material supply insufficiently large quantities.

Collection and sorting costs are incorporated into product pricesIn most European countries, the costs for collection of usedpackaging from households areincorporated into product prices. Low costs due to efficient collectionminimise price increases.

Efficient recycling isdependent on local conditionsAs conditions within the 25 EUmember states vary widely,collection and recycling needs to be adapted to local circumstances.A balance of transparency of costsat each stage, fair cost allocationbetween different packagingmaterials and shared responsibilitybetween industry and localauthorities has proven to be themost successful approach toachieving recycling targets atthe lowest possible cost.

PRODUCTS MADE FROMBEVERAGE CARTONS ARE:

OFFICE STATIONERY

TISSUE ROLLS

CARDBOARD

PAPER BAGS

CORRUGATED BOARD

For additional copies and information, please contact:

info@tetrapak.comwww.tetrapak.com

Tetra Pak’s commitment to the environment is reported annually.See our environmental report and electronic updates at www.tetrapak.com

Designed and produced by salterbaxterPrinted in the United Kingdom by Beacon Press using their pureprint environmental print technology.

THIS BROCHURE HAS BEEN PRINTED ON NORGRAPH RECY WHITE (30500) CONTAINING A MINIMUM OF 80% OF RECYCLED BEVERAGE CARTONS. ORDE

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