Tetra Pak unveils environmental agenda for 2005
force 1 January, underlines both the strength of green consumer
pressure and the direction in which the packaging industry is
moving.
The Swiss-Swedish consumer packaging giant, like many others in the sector, claims that it is committed to running its business in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. It says that the revised policy sets goals for continuous improvement in development, sourcing, manufacturing, and transportation.
"Our environmental policy describes our environmental engagement at every step in the consumption and production chain - from society to raw materials," says the company.
Environmentally friendly packaging has become a major growth area, reflecting consumer and retailer awareness of the issue of waste disposal. A large number of packaging firms are launching products made of 100 per cent recycled materials, and there biodegradable inks are also increasingly evident on the market.
For its part, Tetra Pak says that recycling will be a major pre-occupation of the firm. "We are committed to facilitate and promote local collection and recycling activities for post-consumer carton packages," said the company.
"We endeavour to support our customers on finding environmentally acceptable solutions for their packaging material waste. And in terms of product development: all our packages shall be suitable for recycling. New developments will include, when needed, the development and identification of appropriate recycling technologies."
Tetra Pak claims to have made significant inroads in the field of recycling. In 2003, 93 per cent of the waste generated at the company's plants was recycled. A small and decreasing portion - 3.6 per cent in 2003 - is sent for final disposal (landfill or incineration without energy recovery). No fines for non-compliance with environmental legislation were reported.
Renewability is also seen as a key environmental asset of the group's packaging portfolio. The updated policy promises that the company will strive to maintain or increase the total percentage of materials from renewable sources in its carton package portfolio.
"It is our ultimate goal that all wood fibre in our liquid packaging board shall come from forests independently certified as managed in accordance with principles of sustainable forest management," said Tetra Pak.
"We also require our board suppliers to have full knowledge of the origin of fibre sources used for the paperboard they provide to us, and to avoid any sourcing from illegally harvested wood or intact and high conservation value forestlands."
The group also outlines its plans to open lines of communication on key environmental matters with the communities in which it operates.
"We acknowledge that our operations have an impact on the environment that must be balanced with the benefits our products and services bring to society," said the company. "We provide products that meet both customer and consumer needs, that protect the quality and nutritional value of food, and prevent food waste."
The company also admits that more could be done to achieve greater energy efficiency. This is a major topic for every manufacturer at the moment. Although energy efficiency improved by just 3.3 per cent last year, the company says that its goal is to achieve 15 per cent energy efficiency improvement by 2005 compared to 2002.
Carton packaging material production represents 80 per cent of total energy and has the largest influence on our overall energy efficiency performance. A global energy savings programme was adopted in 2003, and factories developed energy reduction plans and targets for 2004-2005.
