Page 63 - Plastics News November 2025
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IN THE NEWS
90% renewable content and reduces its carbon tire lifecycle from sourcing to end-of-life recov-
footprint by a third. “We are integrating recy- ery. Over 70% of a Tetra Pak carton is paper-
cled polymers into our cartons, moving steadily board sourced from FSC-certified responsibly
toward a fully circular model," says Gupta. Glob- managed forests. The company is also scaling
ally, Tetra Pak invested €42 million in FY24 to renewable polymers made from sugarcane, re-
strengthen collection and recycling, collaborat- ducing its dependence on fossil-based plastics.
ing with 215 recycling partners and processing
over 1.3 million tonnes of used beverage cartons. Gupta elaborates, “A circular approach helps us
extend equipment life, minimize resource use,
In India, Tetra Pak continues to lead by example. and increase recycled and renewable materi-
“We’ve voluntarily fulfilled Extended Producer als. Our 50/50/50 ambition aims for a 50% re-
Responsibility (EPR) for over 20 years," explains duction in water use, waste, and CO emissions
2
Gupta. “We recently became the first company across processing lines by 2030." In 2024, 95%
to meet the government mandate of integrating of Tetra Pak’s operational waste was recycled,
5% recycled polymers in carton packaging." with less than 1% going to landfill, a testament to
its zero-waste commitment.
Circular Economy in Action
Engaging People and Partners for Impact
Both companies see the circular economy not as
a buzzword, but as the foundation of their op- For both PepsiCo and Tetra Pak, achieving sus-
erations. tainability goals depends on collective action.
At PepsiCo India, circularity extends beyond PepsiCo’s flagship Plog Run initiative has become
packaging design to community empowerment. a nationwide movement, blending fitness with
Through initiatives like Project Purna with Re- environmental responsibility. “Since its launch in
city, the company has diverted over 3,200 met- 2022, more than 8,400 volunteers have partici-
ric tonnes of waste in Mathura-Vrindavan while pated, collecting and recycling waste across In-
upskilling waste workers in segregation and re- dia," Singh shares. The Gurugram edition alone
cycling. In Guwahati, its PRIDE Cooperative, a saw 500 participants gather over 1,150 kilograms
partnership with Pyxera Global has supported of waste. “The Plog Run reflects our ‘Partnership
over 1,000 waste workers with documentation, of Progress’ philosophy showing how collabora-
welfare, and skill-building. tion between corporations, communities, and
civic groups can turn waste into value."
“These initiatives ensure that materials don’t
simply end up in landfills, but re-enter the value Tetra Pak, meanwhile, has built one of India’s
chain," Singh explains. “Circularity is about re- strongest recycling ecosystems, partnering
sponsible sourcing, use, collection, and repur- with over 30 collection partners and 8 recyclers
posing all working together to create lasting im- across 26 states, including the Indian Army. Its
pact." consumer engagement campaigns, like ‘Go
Green with Tetra Pak’ and ‘Mera Carton Meri
Tetra Pak’s circular vision similarly spans the en-
November 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 63
