Why do we use Tetra Pak cartons?

  We chose to use Tetra Pak cartons because it is one of the greenest packaging choices available. 

Tetra Pak makes its cardboard cartons from the left over wood chips from trees that are harvested for lumber. Tetra Pak cartons are made from responsibly sourced well managed forests where new trees are planted to replace the ones that are harvested.

Tetra Paks have the lowest package to product ratio:

          An egg is 13% package (shell) and 87% is product (egg)

          Glass bottle: 40% package and 60% product

          Tetra Pak carton:  7% package and 93% product

Tetra Pak cartons are shipped to the beverage manufacturers in huge rolls.  As they go through the filling process they are formed into cartons and separated.  Because of this it only takes two tractor trailers to carry 1 million unfilled cartons.  It would take 52 tractor trailers to transport the same number of plastic or glass bottles. 

Tetra Pak cartons also use less space once they are filled because they are square and so more can fit on a truck.  Less trucks = less cost and less greenhouse gases.

Are Tetra Pak cartons recyclable? 

Yes, many cities are offering curbside recycling of Tetra Pak cartons and new cities and communities are added monthly.  To check to see if recycling is available in your city please click on this link: http://www.aseptic.org/

The latest statistics show that 22 billion cartons are recycled worldwide every year.  The cartons are recycled into tissue, paper towels and cereal boxes.

What is a Tetra Pak carton made of?

75% Paperboard

20% food grade polyethylene plastic

5% aluminum foil

The paper gives the carton strength.  Polyethylene plastic gives the carton a tight seal, keeps out bacteria and is used as a bonding agent to keep the various layers together.  The aluminum foil keeps out air, light and odors, all of which can cause contents to deteriorate. 

To learn more go to http://www.tetrapak.com/us/environment/pages/default.aspx

How is filling a tetra pak carton different from filling a plastic bottle?

Tetra Pak cartons are filled with liquid using aseptic processing.  Plastic bottles are usually filled using a hot fill process.

The hot fill process heats the liquid (juice) to a temperature of between 182 degrees F and 192 degrees F for at least 3 minutes.  The hot liquid is then poured into the plastic bottles.  The high temperature of the liquid sterilizes the plastic bottle as it is being poured in.  The bottle is then sealed and it is cooled.  One of the main concerns of hot filling plastic bottles is that the chemicals in the plastic bottle may ‘leech’ into the liquid because of the high temperatures.  Many juices also lose some flavor and nutrients during the long heating process. 

Aseptic processing uses flash heating.  The liquid is heated to a temperature of 195 – 285 degrees F but only for 3 – 15 seconds, depending on the product.  The liquid is then cooled before filling the cartons.  This process reduces energy use and also greatly reduces nutrient loss.  The sterile liquid is then poured into the sterile cartons and sealed.  This process allows juices to be stored up to a year before opening without refrigeration and eliminates the need for preservatives.

To learn more go to http://www.tetrapak.com/us/environment/pages/default.aspx