Project Proposal-Tetra-Pak UP

Tetrapak Recycling Project Proposal
Aseptic Carton Recycling at VAN LEER
1 Introduction
Growing populations, rising incomes, and changing lifestyles contribute to severe waste
management problems in many urban centers around the world (UNEP-IETC HIID 1996). In
Zimbabwe a majority of municipal solid is inadequately processed. This leads to serious
environmental problems that affect the health of humans and animals and cause economic and
welfare losses. These impacts take the form of contamination of surface and ground water
through leachate, soil contamination, air pollution through open air incineration of waste, and
spreading of diseases by vectors such as rodents (Zurbrügg 2002).
Page 1 of 7
In response to corporate commitments to environmental sustainability, along with new legal
requirements on waste management, several large firms in Zimbabwe are looking at ways to
reduce the waste created from the discarded packaging of their products.
What are aseptic cartons?
Aseptic cartons are made primarily
of paperboard (75 percent) with
thin layers of plastic (20 percent)
and aluminium (five percent),
allowing liquid food to be safely
stored at room temperature without
preservatives (Tetra Pak 2007).
One of the leading companies to
produce these cartons is Tetra Pak.
Source: (Tetra Pak Canada 2006)
Recycling of aseptic cartons
The selection of the most optimal waste management method and technology depends among
other on local conditions such as transport distances, collection systems, markets for the
recovered material, and legislation.
Recycling of Tetra Pak aseptic cartons in Zimbabwe
A range of activities have to be initiated. These efforts include:
• Raising waste scavengers’ awareness of the value of Tetra Pak cartons
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• Initiating education programs at local primary schools to collect used milk cartons for
recycling
• Establishing a Carton Collection Network that links scavengers, recyclers and buyers,
with the aim to ensure a continuous supply of discarded aseptic cartons to recycling
plants
Tetra Pak packing paper was first recycled in Bandung, West Java, in 2004.
Master’s project scope and focus
This Research project responds to the recycling of aseptic cartons in Zimbabwe meeting
paper shortage at Greif. The research will explore the costs and benefits of recycling aseptic
cartons
Research questions
Can we recover more than 70% of paper in Tetra Pak materials, what is the quality of the pulp
and the methods implemented to separate paperboard, thin layer of plastic and aluminium
Objectives
1. Determine the cost of recycling 1 kg of aseptic cartons, factoring in processing expenses
(collection, transportation, sorting, cleaning, recycling, storage etc)
2. To recover at least 65 % of paper in tetrapak.
PERCENTAGE RECOVERY AND LOSS
% loss =9%
% Recovery =91%
For a 1 litter milk tetrapak =30 g
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70% of Paper recovered = 21 g
17% of plastic recovered = 5.1g
4% of aluminium recovered =1.2g
For 1000kgs of tetrapak
Paper recovered = 700kgs
Plastic recovered = 170kgs
Aluminium recovered = 40kgs
TOTAL OPERATING COSTS
RECYCLING COST
Item Cost(US/YR)
Electricity 1398
Water 1000
Repairs 419
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Purchase of raw material
RECYCLING BENEFITS
Material Kgs US/kg Revenue(Us/mnth)
Pulp 117 600 0.70 82320
PE 99 960 0,25 49,980
Aluminum 23,520 0.90 36,456
PLANT LAYOUT/ RECYCLING PROCESS
Cartons Coarse screen Fine screen
Page 5 of 7
Methodology
1. Recycling data collection and analysis: This data will be used to determine the real cost
of recycling 1 kg of aseptic cartons. Information on costs for collecting, transporting,
inspecting, sorting and disposing aseptic cartons from existing collection centers to Van
leer, and the current monthly volume of collected aseptic cartons, will be sought from van
leer.
2. Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA): The CBA will assess the costs and benefits of recycling
aseptic cartons
3. Recommendations: A set of recommendations will be made in light of the results of the
study..
Sources of information and support
Page 6 of 7
References
Akiyama, M. M. (2008). M. M. Akiyama. Jakarta.
Hanley N , S. J., B White (2001). Introduction to Environmental Economics, Oxford

University Press.
Nazech, E. K. M. Program Daur Ulang Kemasan Kertas Tetra Pak. D. M. Lingkungan.

Jakarta.
Pasang H , M. G., and S Guntur (2007). "Neighbourhood-based waste management: A

solution for solid waste problems in Jakarta, Indonesia." Waste Management 27: 14.
Tetra Pak. "Environmental Performance." Retrieved July 22, 2008, from

http://markets.tetrapak.com/environmentalperformance/content/frset_main.asp?navid=146.
Tetra Pak (2007). "Aseptic Carton Structure."

http://www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk/tp_structure.asp. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
Tetra Pak (2008). "Recycling Technologies." Retrieved September 10, 2008, from
http://www.tetrapak.com/environment/recycling_and_recovery/recycling_technologies/Pages/
default.aspx.
Tetra Pak (2008). "Tetra Pak Group Markets." Retrieved July 22, 2008, from
http://markets.tetrapak.com/environmentalperformance/content/frset_main.asp?navid=146.
Tetra Pak Canada (2006). "Environmental Focus." Retrieved September 28, 2008, from
http://www.tetrapak.ca/email/enviro-images-sept/english.html.
UNEP-IETC HIID (1996). International Source Book on Environmentally Sound

Technologies for Municipal Solid Waste Management, United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC).
Zurbrügg, C. (2002). Urban Solid Waste Management in Low-Income Countries of Asia:

How to Cope with the Garbage Crisis. Urban Solid Waste Management Review Session,
Durban, Durban, South Africa.
Page 7 of 7

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Tetrapak Recycling Project Proposal

Aseptic Carton Recycling at VAN LEER

Zimbabwe a majority of municipal solid is inadequately processed. This leads to serious

spreading of diseases by vectors such as rodents (Zurbrügg 2002).

What are aseptic cartons?

Aseptic cartons are made primarily

of paperboard (75 percent) with

thin layers of plastic (20 percent)

and aluminium (five percent),

allowing liquid food to be safely

stored at room temperature without

preservatives (Tetra Pak 2007).

One of the leading companies to

produce these cartons is Tetra Pak.

Source: (Tetra Pak Canada 2006)

Recycling of aseptic cartons

recovered material, and legislation.

Recycling of Tetra Pak aseptic cartons in Zimbabwe

A range of activities have to be initiated. These efforts include:

• Raising waste scavengers’ awareness of the value of Tetra Pak cartons

Master’s project scope and focus

1. Determine the cost of recycling 1 kg of aseptic cartons, factoring in processing expenses

(collection, transportation, sorting, cleaning, recycling, storage etc)

2. To recover at least 65 % of paper in tetrapak.

PERCENTAGE RECOVERY AND LOSS

For a 1 litter milk tetrapak =30 g

17% of plastic recovered = 5.1g

4% of aluminium recovered =1.2g

For 1000kgs of tetrapak

Paper recovered = 700kgs

Plastic recovered = 170kgs

Aluminium recovered = 40kgs

TOTAL OPERATING COSTS

Material Kgs US/kg Revenue(Us/mnth)

Pulp 117 600 0.70 82320

PE 99 960 0,25 49,980

Aluminum 23,520 0.90 36,456

PLANT LAYOUT/ RECYCLING PROCESS

Cartons Coarse screen Fine screen

of recycling 1 kg of aseptic cartons. Information on costs for collecting, transporting,

3. Recommendations: A set of recommendations will be made in light of the results of the

Sources of information and support

Akiyama, M. M. (2008). M. M. Akiyama. Jakarta.

Hanley N , S. J., B White (2001). Introduction to Environmental Economics, Oxford

Nazech, E. K. M. Program Daur Ulang Kemasan Kertas Tetra Pak. D. M. Lingkungan.

Pasang H , M. G., and S Guntur (2007). "Neighbourhood-based waste management: A

Tetra Pak. "Environmental Performance." Retrieved July 22, 2008, from

Tetra Pak (2007). "Aseptic Carton Structure."

UNEP-IETC HIID (1996). International Source Book on Environmentally Sound

Zurbrügg, C. (2002). Urban Solid Waste Management in Low-Income Countries of Asia:

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