New packaging allows consumers to separate plastic from carton

Tetra Pak has launched Tetra Top, a new product that enables consumers to detach the injection molded plastic top from the carton sleeve, allowing them to be recycled separately. Tetra Paks are recyclable but since they are made up of a mixture of cardboard, plastic and aluminium, it needs to be collected separately.

Here's how it works: Tetra Pak says that consumers can easily separate the plastic top from the sleeve with a simple thumb press, due to the pre-cut perforation on the outer layer of the cardboard. This is achieved without affecting the functionality of the Tetra Top package.

"The innovation of Tetra Top separable top is a response to consumers' increasing demand for better solutions to facilitate recycling, especially where waste management infrastructure calls for it," said Charles Brand, VP of marketing and product management at Tetra Pak.

The company touts that Tetra Top is a package that combines the convenience of a bottle with the contemporary look and feel of a carton package. It is suitable for chilled products and ambient still drinks. Arla Foods in Denmark and Sweden has already introduced Tetra Top with separable top into its product range.

"It was very well received by all our key stakeholders," said Ann Bergman, senior manager marketing & brand yogurt and fermented at Arla Foods Sweden. "Over 80 percent of consumers appreciated the possibility to be able to separate the top and 77 percent said that they would recycle more. We now have over 35 product variants in the Yoggi and Arla range with Tetra Top with separable top on the Swedish market. For us it was a great benefit to be able to launch without adding cost."