Tetra Pak Vietnam pilots the recycling programme “One Second of Action to Protect the Environment” at schools in Ha Noi and HCM City. — Photo courtesy of Tetra Pak Vietnam

Food processing and packaging firm Tetra Pak has announced its plans to focus on building a low carbon, circular economy and a sustainability approach that covers the entire value chain.

The firm released its Sustainability Report 2019 on Wednesday, aiming to reduce its climate change impact.

Tetra Pak also committed to support all of the 17 United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The company has been implementing action plans to reduce the impact of its packaging, processing and service solutions through renewable projects, environmental-friendly technologies, and building sustainable supply chains and initiatives to reduce climate impacts.

In 2018, Tetra Pak began to address marine litter by investing in a new closures portfolio. The company plans to spend 100 million euros (US$112.6 million) per year for the next five years on developing alternative solutions to on-pack plastic straws. It expects to industrialise production of paper straws on a scale that will meet global demand by 2025.

Tetra Pak sources 3.1 million tonnes of base materials (paperboard, polymer and aluminium) every year, with some 71 per cent of the raw material put in the firm's carton packages paperboard.

Viet Nam will also see Tetra Pak adopt the global sustainable strategy to its local business by promoting carton package recycling through partnerships with four collectors, two recyclers and a chain of public drop-off stations in Ha Noi and HCM City. — VNS