Tetrapaks : Are tetrapaks recyclable and its myths

Are tetrapaks recyclable ? Are my efforts worthwhile by disposing them properly? These are the some of the questions which often comes into our mind while we are using them or for say throwing or disposing them in proper bins and I am happy to say your efforts are truly worthwhile. Yes, tetrapaks are recyclable.

There is a major controversy going on over this issue. Yes, tetrapaks are not generally converted back to tetrapaks again but they are recycled to form many products like in the picture below.

image source: tetrapak

​​​​A​​​​​​​ few common myths debunked:

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Myth 1: Tetra Pak cartons are not recyclable.
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​​​​​Tetra Pak cartons are fully recyclable. The paperboard (which is 75% of the carton) is recycled into paper prod​ucts and the 25% remaining fraction (consisting of the polyethylene and the aluminium) can be recycled into panel boards, roof sheets and so on.​

​​​​​​​Once the collected cartons are sorted and baled, they are sent to the recycling plant where the paper is separated from the polyethyl​ene and aluminium via the hydra pulping process and then converted into many useful products.

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​​​​​​​Myth 2: There are no carton recyclers in India; therefore used Tetra Pak cartons are not recycled.

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​​​​Used Tetra Pak cartons are already being collected and recycled in India for the past decade and more. Currently, we estimate that around 30% of all used Tetra Pak cartons are being recycled, as verified by The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI). Read the report. Tetra Pak seeks to continuously educate all sections of the recycling value chain (consumers, waste traders, waste pickers, recyclers) that used Tetra Pak cartons are fully recyclable and that they have a good value.

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​​​​​​​Myth 3: Tetra Pak packages are not environment friendly.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tetra Pak packages are primarily paper-based and fully recyclable. A number of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) studies​​ have assessed the greenhouse gas emissions from different packaging formats (including glass bottles, PET and HDPE containers, Tetra Pak cartons, metal cans and stand-up pouches) and the Tetra Pak carton is generally attributed with the lowest environmental impact. The Tetra Pak package is primarily made of paperboard (75%), which has a low carbon footprint, as its main raw material – wood fibre, if well-managed, is renewable. ​ 

source: tetrapak