Climate of Change

Green at the source: Tetra Pak works with its paperboard suppliers to encourage good forest management practices.

It’s quite a sight as the plane descends over the south coast of Sweden. Out in the sea is a bank of some 50 wind turbines, their white blades rotating earnestly in the endless light of a Nordic midsummer evening. The Lilligrund offshore wind farm, close to the city of Malmo, is in fact the third largest installation of its type in the world, generating enough power to meet the needs of some 60,000 Swedish households.

Although eco-consciousness is a fairly recent phenomenon – or even fashion statement – in most parts of the world, in Sweden, concern for the environment is longstanding and ingrained in everyday life. As well as alternative energy initiatives like Lilligrund, recycling bins are everywhere, the streets teem with cyclists, green car owners pay no parking or congestion charges, and you wouldn’t even think about asking for a plastic bag.

A short drive away from Malmö is the town of Lund, headquarters of Tetra Pak, inventors of the now ubiquitous beverage packaging carton (it produced 137 billion last year). Keen to show the substance behind its “focus on protecting the environment in which we operate”, the company invited a selection of the world’s media for a two-day look at how far it has progressed along the green highway.

The Four R’s

“Tetra Pak stands for Renewing, Recycling, Reducing, and Responsibility,” announced Erika Mink, environment director, Europe. Such terms are often liberally sprinkled in company’s green messages but Mink is quick to provide evidence for this claim. “Cartons are the only liquid food packaging made from a natural and renewable resource. Three-quarters of the material for Tetra Pak cartons comes from wood fibers sourced from well-managed forests,” she explained.

A renewable energy program is also in place, which aims to maximize the use of alternative sources such as solar and wind to power the company’s manufacturing sites. Although packaging material production increased 29% in the 2002-2007 period, the same amount of energy was used in 2007 as in 2002.

As for recycling, a concerted effort to increase the quantities of cartons recycled worldwide is paying off, with the fi gures for 2007 showing 343,000 tonnes of material (equivalent to 22 billion cartons) recycled – a 40% increase on that recorded in 2002.

“Our target is to cut CO2 emissions by 10% (140,000 tonnes) in the 2005-2010 period,” said Mink, who went on to explain that this is being achieved through energy efficiency measures, transportation optimization, and increasing use of green power. By 2007, Tetra Pak had already achieved a reduction of seven percent, even though the 2005-2010 saw a 10% increase in production volumes.

Cartons – the only liquid food packaging made from a natural and renewable resource, emphasizes Erika Mink, environment director, Europe.

The fourth R, being responsible, relates to Tetra Pak’s active cooperation with various organizations – such as UN Global Compact, WWF, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – that promote the environment and sustainable practices. Responsibility also extends to open communication with stakeholders through regular environmental performance reporting.

Guest speaker Lasse Gustavasson, secretary general, WWF Sweden, said that objectives of the WWF–Tetra Pak partnership include promoting responsible purchasing of forest-based products, among producers, converters, and society in general.

Specific joint activities have included tracking participation data, supply and demand, trade links, and overall effectiveness of the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN), which is a WFF initiative aimed at eliminating illegal logging and saving the world’s valuable and threatened forests.

Tetra Pak’s goal is to have all of its wood fiber sourced from forests that are FSC certified. An FSC certificate recognizes that forest resources are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. To this end, the company works with board suppliers, like Korsnäs, to help drive the certification of forests and ensure increased supply of FSC certified board.

Lasse Gustavasson, secretary general, WWF Sweden, explaining how the organization works with Tetra Pak to encourage environmental responsibility.

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French Revolution

If Jean-Charles Boisset has his way, more and more people will be drinking wine with a clean (eco) conscience.

Wine from a carton: the innovative French Rabbit from Boisset Family Estates.

In 2005, Boisset Family Estates, a family-owned producer of fine wines, based in Burgundy, France, launched “French rabbit” in fully recyclable Tetra Pak cartons. Now available in 250 ml, 500 ml, and one liter sizes, 5.5 million units have since been sold.

“The wine industry has been complacent when it comes to packaging,” company president Jean-Charles Boisset told the assembled media in Lund. “There has been no innovation since glass was introduced in the 13th century.”

The benefits of French rabbit, says Boisset, include the fact that it cools three times faster than a bottle; it’s UV protected; it can be resealed after opening; and a one liter bottle retails at the same price as an equivalent 750 ml bottle.

As well as recyclability, the carton nature of the packaging can have a huge impact on transportation costs and CO2 emissions. “One truck filled with French rabbit packs is equivalent to 25 trucks of glass bottles,” says Boisset. “Just think of the dramatic reduction in pollution levels.”

Boisset has a definite market in mind, pointing out that 70% of wines retailing under eight euros ($11.56) are consumed within three hours of opening. With 70% of the production cost coming from the package (bottle, label, cork), it does not make sense to invest in packaging that does not improve the quality of the wine, he says.

And Boisset’s carton concept has received a warm welcome from the wine world. In 2006, French rabbit was awarded SIAL d'Or as the best new alcoholic product in the world. The international jury applauded the quality of the wine and the convenient packaging:

“These wines retain all the flavor of the grapes. There's no glass bottle to break, no need for a corkscrew, and no risk of the wine being corked. The packaging protects the wines from the damaging effects of light and oxidation, and enables them to be carried and stored easily. The containers' colorful designs are appealing to consumers.”