Japan Tetra Pak Co., Ltd.
Tetra Pak Japan to expand use of milk cartons for school lunches by dairy industry manufacturers using 99% renewable resources
More than 70% of Tetra Brik (R) containers (for school lunches) are being replaced with new plant-based packaging materials
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Tetra Pak Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Alejandro Cabal; hereinafter referred to as Tetra Pak Japan), a leading supplier of food processing equipment and paper container filling and packaging systems, announced in April 2023 that We have been gradually rolling out a new packaging material that uses plant-based polyethylene to coat Tetra Brik® containers for milk used in school lunches throughout Japan. We announced that we have expanded.
Two companies, Takanashi Dairy Co., Ltd. and Yotsuba Dairy Co., Ltd. (listed in alphabetical order), are scheduled to begin supplying products in the new packaging material starting this fall.
This is the first time that a new packaging material using
plant-derived polyethylene has been adopted for the coating of paper containers for school milk milk containers distributed in Japan. By using plant-derived polyethylene derived from sugarcane to coat Tetra Brik® containers, which are easy for children to drink and are hygienic, we have increased the ratio of renewable resources from 77% to 99%, and throughout the value chain. Achieves a reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 23% (*1).
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/108706/11/resize/d108706-11-7cb0f1955bfd663f629d-1.jpg&s3=108706-11-556bdfcfa630cb9877a7b6d7cf983f28-700×202.jpg] Tetra Brik (R), a paper container for school lunch milk made from a new packaging material using plant-based polyethylene
From left: Takanashi Dairy Co., Ltd. (3 types), Yotsuba Dairy Co., Ltd. (in alphabetical order)
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/108706/11/resize/d108706-11-033EAC7696336E03.jpg &s3=108706-11-427F3A9E8F21E5BC1A29405DB67B950 b-2000×1125.jpg] Expanding to elementary and junior high schools and co-ops nationwide Products in new packaging containers have already been supplied by Ikaruga Milk Co., Ltd., Ohm Dairy Co., Ltd., Kyushu Dairy Co., Ltd., Shikoku Dairy Co., Ltd., Sennan Dairy Co., Ltd., Chichiyasu Co., Ltd., and Mori Milk Co., Ltd. A total of 7 dairy companies have started the project (in order), and with the addition of the 2 companies added this time, a total of 9 dairy manufacturers will be providing school milk in environmentally friendly paper containers to elementary and junior high schools nationwide. It will be. Furthermore, it will be used in dairy products for consumer cooperatives (Co-op/Japan Consumers’ Co-operative Association) provided by Shikoku Dairy Co., Ltd., etc., and will be sold through consumer cooperative stores and home delivery services, not only for school lunches but also for general consumption. We will continue to expand the provision of services to people.
More than 70% of Tetra Brik(R) containers are being switched to new packaging materials using plant-based polyethylene
In the future, more than 70% of the Tetra Brik (R) containers that Tetra Pak Japan supplies for school lunches in Japan are expected to be replaced with a new packaging material made from sugarcane-derived plant-based polyethylene. Furthermore, replacing fossil-based plastics will lead to a reduction of 1,100 tons (*2) of fossil-based plastics per year, helping to achieve the Ministry of the Environment’s goal of introducing approximately 2 million tons of biomass plastics by 2030, and Bonsucro. By using certified (*3) plant-based plastics, we contribute to achieving the seven SDGs.
All Tetra Pak cartons are FSC(R) (Forest Stewardship Council) certified and are made from renewable base paper sourced from properly managed wood sources. Additionally, the sugarcane used as raw material is Bonsucro certified, ensuring sustainable sugarcane production and responsible sourcing. Furthermore, by using plant-based polyethylene for containers, we can reduce CO2 emissions, and this reduction rate has been certified by Carbon Trust (*4). Applicable containers can have a Carbon Trust certification label printed on them, making it possible to visually promote the CO2 reduction rate.
Tetra Pak Japan is promoting the maximization of renewable resources as a company-wide strategy, and is already developing caps and straws made from plant-based materials. By introducing these materials, we will accelerate this initiative.
We also work on collection and recycling activities and environmental education for children.
At Tetra Pak Japan, we are not only developing an environmentally advantageous paper container portfolio, but also actively working to strengthen paper container collection and recycling and environmental education. We support the Bellmark Education Grant Foundation and are building a system to collect and reliably recycle paper containers used for school lunch milk through Tetra Pak’s Bellmark campaign. In addition, we are actively working to support children’s environmental education, and have created a special website called “Let’s learn about paper containers, recycling, and the environment!”
(https://schoolmilk-project.com/), and school milk with new packaging materials. Starting this fall, we plan to begin holding on-site classes at elementary schools that have introduced the system. Yuko Omori, Sustainability Director at Tetra Pak Japan, said: “Paper containers made from plant-based polyethylene are not only more environmentally friendly, but we also believe that they can be used for school lunches, especially from the perspective of dietary and environmental education for children. We believe that we can provide an opportunity to learn about the environment from a broader perspective, from the procurement of raw materials to collection and recycling, using the milk carton that is a familiar school lunch item.The raw material for the polyethylene used in the container is sugarcane. Bonsucro certification, which supports sustainable production and processing, contributes to the achievement of the seven SDGs.By researching and learning about other environmental
certification marks, you will be able to choose products that are good for the environment. We will continue to actively work on product development and environmental education in order to provide many children with the opportunity to learn about the environment while enjoying school lunches.”
Materials introducing the value provided by Tetra Brik (R) paper containers for school lunches and Tetra Pak Japan’s efforts towards a sustainable society are available on the company’s website. For
documentation: https://www.tetrapak.com/content/dam/tetrapak/publicweb/jp/ja/sustainability/paper-container-tetra-brik-for-school-lunches-and-initiative-for-a- Please download from sustainable-society.pdf.
*1 There may be slight differences depending on the specifications of packaging materials and secondary materials. *2 Estimated value when all packaging materials for Tetra Pak’s Tetra Brik (R) paper containers for school milk are changed to plant-based polyethylene (according to our research). *3 A certification system aimed at sustainable sugarcane production, manufacturing, and distribution operated by Bonsucro, a global NPO (headquartered in the United Kingdom) established in 2008. Tetra Pak is the world’s first food and beverage container to receive certification. *4 A UK-based
organization that provides guidance to companies on reducing carbon emissions and improving resource efficiency. Comprehensively measures and evaluates the amount of carbon generated in all processes of producing products. With the Carbon Trust label, Tetra Pak and the Carbon Trust calculate the carbon emissions of paper containers and display the carbon reduction rate compared to conventional containers (using fossil-based polymers) and containers using plant-based polymers.
Related press release: “Tetra Pak Japan is the first company in Japan to introduce a new packaging material using plant-based polyethylene for milk for school lunches. Rollout will start in the new fiscal year. Achieving 99% renewable resource ratio and further reducing CO2 emissions.”
https://www.tetrapak.com/ja-jp/about-tetra-pak/news-and-events/newsarchive/japan-introduce-a-new-packaging-material-that-uses-plant-derived-pe- for-milk
*Unauthorized reproduction of images in this press release, whether in whole or in part, is prohibited.
About Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is a world leader in food processing and packaging systems. We provide safe, innovative and environmentally friendly products to meet the needs of customers in more than 160 countries around the world. With approximately 25,000 employees worldwide, we strive to sustainably manage our business in order to provide responsible leadership in our industry. The motto “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD”(TM) reflects Tetra Pak’s vision: “We’re committed to providing access to safe food, anytime, anywhere.” . For more information, please see below.
Website https://www.tetrapak.com/ja-jp
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