Why renewable polymers in packaging material matter
Polymers used in food and beverage packaging can be derived from plant-based materials like sugar cane, which are renewable if responsibly sourced. When this is the case, it can reduce the packaging’s impact on climate change compared to that of traditional packaging materials, such as plastics derived from fossil fuels1.
2022: carbon neutral labelling by the Carbon Trust™
This means that Tetra Pak has only included packaging with plant-based polymers for certification. Then, we procure carbon credits to compensate for the package’s residual emissions. These credits fund Gold Standard-certified climate projects worldwide.
The Carbon Trust™ has certified the carbon footprint of our plant-based packaging and caps and, upon considering our carbon management plan, has certified these packaging solutions as carbon neutral, in compliance with the internationally recognised PAS2060 standard. Our qualifying explanatory statement (QES) documents show how we measure, reduce, and offset the emissions of the Carbon Trust-certified packages; it also includes the certification letter and offset documentation. The QES for our carbon-neutral-certified packaging solutions can be viewed here.
The world’s first cap made from certified recycled polymers4
In collaboration with Elvir, a subsidiary of Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Tetra Pak has become the first carton packaging player in the food and beverage industry to launch a cap using certified recycled polymers.
1By “traditional packaging material” we compare to some other packaging alternatives for beverages and liquid food. This is based on Lifecycle Assessment (LCA). Read more about LCAs at https://www.tetrapak.com/sustainability/measuring-and-reporting/life-cycle-assessment
2Volumes exclude Blend in BIO (BiB) sold in Brazil. BiB is a mix of 75% LDPE and 25% plant-based LDPE.
3Based on climate accounting internal calculations (volume x emission factor) considering 72.7 kilo tonnes of plant-based plastic purchased in 2022. To calculate the figure for emissions avoided, we use the emissions factor for plant-based polymers from a publicly available lifecycle assessment produced by Braskem. Source: https://www.braskem.com.br/acv-studies
4A ‘certified recycled polymer’ is a plastic whose cost includes a premium that finances the collection, sorting, cleaning and processing of plastic waste that cannot be recycled via conventional mechanical means. The third-party certification verifies that the required amount of plastic waste has been recycled into raw material for making new plastics.
5The concept of traceability refers to the tracking of a product throughout its production, processing and distribution phases, from the procurement of the raw materials for its manufacture until it reaches the end consumer.