Helping to protect forests by responsibly sourcing1 paperboard

The average paperboard content of our beverage cartons is more than 70% which is a renewable material when sourced responsibly. The paperboard we use comes from Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™) certified forests and other controlled sources supporting sustainable use of forest resources.

Why responsible sourcing of paperboard matters

Using more paperboard instead of plastic isn't enough to meet the 1.5-degree climate goal. Increased global demand for wood materials risks forest degradation and deforestation, a leading cause of nature loss. That's why we source our paperboard only from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. 

 

For the manufacturing of carton packaging, we purchase solely a speciality paperboard product called Liquid Packaging Board (LPB). LPB accounts for over 97% of our global wood-based purchases, which also include pallets, crates and office paper.

Ensuring full paperboard traceability

Package with FSC logo

Using paperboard from responsibly managed forests

All the wood fibre in our paperboard comes from wood from forests certified to FSC™2 and other controlled sources. We currently use an FSC™ Mix label for our paperboard that allows for a mixture of materials from FSC™-Forest Management certified forests (at least 70%) and FSC™-controlled wood3. While controlled wood is not sourced from FSC™-certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources.

Tracing the path to responsibility
We maintain full traceability down to the processing facilities that produce the paperboard. All of our suppliers and facilities maintain FSC™ Chain of Custody (CoC) certification to guarantee that the paperboard in our packages comes from FSC™-certified forests and other controlled sources. In addition to this, our suppliers are required to report annually on the tree species, certification status, and country and area of origin of the wood fibre in the paperboard supplied to us.

Proudly on the CDP’s Forests A List

Tetra Pak is among the 2% of over 21,000 companies globally recognised for leadership in forest sustainability (achieving an A score)4. We also secured strong scores on Climate Change and Water Sercurity, making us the only carton packaging company in the leadership band.

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

Our strategic ambitions and 2030 targets for paperboard


• Wood fibre in the carton shall not originate from areas with deforestation after 31 December 2020.5
• We shall continue to deliver all carton packaging as certified with a credible third-party certification and labelled accordingly.


• All the wood fibre in our cartons shall come from forests independently certified with a credible third-party certification6 as managed under the principles of sustainable forest management.
• We shall ensure full traceability of the wood fibre contained in the carton.7

Further explore our responsibly sourced materials

Package with a tethered caps from polymers

Polymers

Our paper-based carton packages come with plant based polymer layers, caps, closures and straws. When responsibly sourced, plant-based polymers are a renewable material.

close-up of an aluminum roll

Aluminium

Aluminium foil layer thinner than human hair prevents oxidation and light damage, helping to reduce food waste by extending the shelf-life of food without refrigeration.

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1Responsible sourcing is one of the strategic objectives for Tetra Pak, reflected in our Procurement Policy. All LPB suppliers are required to comply with the Tetra Pak Business Code of Business Conduct for Suppliers and the Tetra Pak Responsible Sourcing of Liquid Packaging Board Procedure, which together define our requirements in the areas of human rights, labour standards, occupational health and safety, environment, and business ethics.

2The FSC™ license code for Tetra Pak is FSC-C014047.

3Controlled sources are FSC™ controlled wood. This wood originates from low-risk sources that exclude illegally harvested wood, wood harvested in violation of traditional and human rights, wood harvested in forests in which high conservation values are threatened by management activities, wood harvested in forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use and wood from forests in which genetically modified trees are planted. Our FSC™ certified packaging material is produced with the FSC™ claim "FSC™ Mix 70%" which means that minimum 70 % of the wood fibres come from FSC™ Forest Management certified forests and maximum 30 % come from FSC™ controlled wood. More information: https://fsc.org/en/fsc-mix-label-and-controlled-wood

4Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Forests questionnaires

5The deforestation cut-off date 31 Dec 2020 has been updated to match the updated FSC™ Remedy and Restoration framework, as well as EU regulation on deforestation-free products. Deforestation-free areas are areas where there has been no loss of natural forest as a result of: i) conversion to agriculture or other non-forest land use; ii) conversion to a tree plantation; or iii) severe and sustained degradation.

6We define credible certification schemes as those that are members of ISEAL and compliant with ISEAL Code of Good Practice.

7Defined as at a minimum traceable to the level of primary processor (e.g., to a LPB mill), but preferably to the forest management unit, in line with coming regulatory requirements. Generally speaking, the 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.