Tetrapak Recycling In The UK

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to recycle Tetrapak cartons. Tetrapaks are made from 70 to 90% paperboard which is recyclable just like any other paper or card. The reason that Tetrapak cartons cannot be included with our normal paper recycling is the aluminium foil liner and polyethylene cap included with the carton.

Tetrapak themselves have offered to recycle their packaging for a few years; however this did mean packing them up yourself and posting them (at your own expense).

Tetrapak’s recycling process includes an extra step to remove the aluminium foil and polyethylene, which can then itself be recycled.

Recently many local councils have recently introduced collections for Tetrapak in their regular household recycling collection, and many more offer collection points at their recycling facilities. Since 2006, Tetrapak themselves have offered advice and financial support for councils to initiate recycling schemes, so they don’t really have any excuse!

If you want to recycle your cartons, you need to rinse them out and then flatten them. You do not need to remove the plastic cap; it is removed during the recycling process.

If your local council does not yet collect Tetrapak cartons for recycling, write to your council and ask them what they are going to do about it. If you are not sure what to say, Alpro Soya have a letter template which you can use to write to your local council and request that they introduce Tetrapak recycling.

To find out more visit www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk which includes an interactive map showing which local councils offer kerbside collections or have collection facilities at recycling banks.

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