Swedish packaging company Tetra Pak and UK food retailer Sainbury's announced the world's first Tetra Pak certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Sainbury's is the first supermarket in the world to stock the Tetra Recart packaged with FSC-certified wood fiber. The packaging will initially be used for Sainbury's own private label Premium Chopped Tomatoes. The tomatoes will have a two-year shelf life in the Recart packaging.
The companies said the new packaging will reassure "Sainbury's customers that the paperboard used comes from well-managed forests and controlled sources."
Additional benefits according to Tetra Pak are the package's rectangular shape which makes it highly efficient during transportation, storage and distribution using 33% less space than a can.
Tetra Recart is also two thirds lighter than a tin can the manufacturer said. Recart cartons weigh 18g compared to 50-60g for a comparable tin can or 200g for a glass bottle.
Tetra Pak sources 100% of its paperboard in Europe from FSC chain-of-custody certified suppliers. The new certification with Sainbury's means that the entire supply chain - from the forest to the retail shelf comes from FSC-certified, well managed forests and controlled sources.
Overall 74% of Tetra Pak cartons are made from a renewable resource, 65% of the Tetra Recart is made from paper-board.
Claes Du Rietz, Vice President Global Environment, Tetra Pak said the launch of the first FSC-labelled carton for liquid and canned foods is good responsible business. "Our ultimate goal is to have all the paper in our packaging certified to the highest standard - currently set by the FSC," said Du Rietz.
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