"In What World Can You Call Tetra Pak Green," by Lloyd Alter on the Tree Hugger website discusses Tetra Pak packaging and their "green" marketing campaign. Tetra Pak is an aseptic packaging product with the ability to extend canned and bottled perishable food items shelf lives, for example, extending the shelf life of milk for months when not refrigerated. The company is the largest packaging company worldwide and has done an amazing job of marketing its limited "green" qualities. In the UK and Ireland, Tetra Pak has been FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified.
Tetra Pak boasts of its sustainability, yet only 20% of America has the recycling facilities that are able to break down the product's seven thin layers of various components (plastic, aluminum, and paper). However, even when "recycling" Tetra Pak, toilet paper is the only thing that can be produced from breaking down and reusing the product's materials. Hence, Tetra Pak cannot be recreated from recycling Tetra Pak. Alter refers to this as, "the most elaborate green washing scheme ever."
It was interesting when reading the "In What World Can You Call Tetra Pak Green?" article and then looking at the "ALL UK and Irish Tetra Pak Packaging to be FSC Certified" by Bonnie Alter that is also on the Tree Hugger website. It appears that the FSC certification is helping Tetra Pak become more dedicated to recycling in the U.K. and Ireland, as the Innocent drinks (London headquarters) have worked with Tetra Pak to have 100% recyclable product packaging. Hopefully, these changes will also begin to happen in the U.S. soon.
Resources:
"In What World Can You Call Tetra Pak Green?"
"All UK and Irish Tetra Pak Packaging to be FSC Certified"
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