Launch of first carton recycling facility
During the week of World Environment Day, Tetra Pak and Gayatri Paper Mills had the operational launch of the first carton recycling facility of its kind in South Africa, which ensures the complete, environmentally responsible and friendly lifecycle of the carton from cradle to grave, as 6000 tons of used beverage cartons per annum are destined for local reuse.
"When the contents are gone, the carton lives on," says Rodney Reynders, environment cluster leader, sub-Sahara Africa at Tetra Pak. "The unpretentious carton pack goes largely unnoticed in consumer homes worldwide more than 400 million times a day - appreciated for its low carbon, low cost simplicity but unrecognised for its engineering excellence."
The cartons are made even more environmentally friendly with the introduction of the recycling facility as the impact of every element of the carton's lifespan is now considered, from responsibly managed forests to use and reinvention as a recycled product.
In addition, the multilayer engineering keeps product fresh inside for up to 12 months without needing energy-sapping refrigeration. Its milk and juice processing machines use the latest technology to save energy and water, while technical processing support to customers focuses on reducing product waste during the packaging of milk and juice.
The partnership is looking for rapid annual expansion in the volume of recycled material which will be sold back into local industry. It creates wealth from waste and sustainable local revenues.
The model is based on established carton recycling businesses in Brazil and seeks to include partners from local businesses to government and entrepreneurs.
Several direct jobs have already been created by the partnership with many more knock-on jobs for balers and collectors. Tetra Pak works closely with local recycling programmes to provide an extensive base for consumers to recycle their household carton waste, both as part of suburban home collection programmes and drop off sites at schools, key retailers and some industrial drop off areas.
Recyclables are collected across the country by waste management and private collection companies who sort them into different materials streams. Carton waste is then baled and sold on to Gayatri Paper Mills for recycling.
Lists of recycling drop off points can be found at www.tetrapak.co.za and www.mywaste.co.za.
