Tetra Pak expands waste solutions in bid to cut down food loss

Tetra Pak is increasing its range of solutions to help customers reduce waste levels during the food production process - encompassing raw material and water usage, and waste disposal.

The move follows a report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization which highlights the gravity of the issue: 14% of global food is wasted each year, which equates to around $400bn.

Food loss also means wasted water, with the World Resources Institute reporting that 45 trillion gallons of water (contained in the 1.3bn tons of food) is lost each year around the world.

The firm’s waste reduction toolkit includes consumables, plant components, and water filtration solutions and consumables for wastewater reduction.

Executive vice president Roberto Franchitti said that the changes showed Tetra Pak was playing its part in contributing towards a more responsible food production system.

“We are stepping up our efforts to help tackle waste in food manufacturing, for instance improving performance of machines, minimising failures that could result in production stopping and a consequent loss of food, focusing on refurbishing existing equipment, upgrading, and even reselling used machines to ensure that nothing goes to waste,”​ he said.

Tetra Pak Expert Services already helped eight food producers in the Americas reduce their CO2 emissions by 7.62 kilotons and plant emissions by 9%.

This news comes at the same time as the packaging manufacturer has been recognised with an award for excellence by US consulting firm Kepner Tregoe.

“We are delighted to honour Tetra Pak for its outstanding performance​,” said Matthieu Coupeau, senior consultant at Kepner Tregoe.

“The issues resolution skills, which help to enhance performance and address challenges confronting food and packaging manufacturing are particularly impressive.”​

In other news, a low carbon footprint aluminium product​​ used in the manufacturing of wine and spirit bottle screwcaps is set to hit the market.