Tetra Pak maximises recycling of UBC to reduce greenhouse gases

Tetra Pak Pakistan is endeavouring to maximise recycling of its used-beverage cartons (UBC), which will help reduce greenhouse gases. Jawad Khan, Environment Manager of Tetra Pak, told a delegation of Forum of Environmental Journalist (FEJP) during their visit to Bulleh Shah Paper Mills. He made an interesting link with recycling and emissions of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas).
A recent study has revealed that recycling can reduce emission of carbon dioxide into atmosphere and help prevent global climate change. This is because much of the energy used in industrial processes and in transportation involves burning fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel and coal: the most important sources of carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. Additional benefits are derived from reduced emissions from incinerators and landfills, and slowing the harvest of trees which are carbon sinks.
Jawad told the delegation that Tetra Pak is very conscious of its environmental responsibility and from 2010 environment has become core emphasis of Tetra Pak. He observed that it is imperative to minimise carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is one of the greenhouse gases that is responsible for global warming. "Hence, we believe in reducing the greenhouse gases but not at the cost of productivity and the solution lies recycling," he added.
According to him, Tetra Pak has embarked on recycling of its used-beverage cartons (UBC), which is recycled into paper and other products. They are educating mill owners on the utility of by-products such as fibre, polyethylene and aluminium, which are produced as a result of recycling UBCs. Previously, the fibre by-product was utilised in creating pulp for paper but polyethylene and aluminium are disposed off at dumping sites, resulting in environmental detriment and the wasteful occupation of land that could be used for productive purposes. They are working on concerting polyethylene in to plastic pellets to be used in production of plastic-based products. Also, Tetra Pak experimented in producing roof tiles from recycled material of UBC.
He disclosed that with a shortage of brown paper waste, UBC is quickly gaining acceptance as a viable alternative raw material. "Growing interest is also shown by the paper mills towards accepting technical solutions to process UBC. This was made possible through increased awareness of the commercial value of UBC recycling and the usefulness of its polyethylene and aluminium by-products," he added.
By 2020, they are targeting to recycle 40 percent of its UBC waste, which at present stands at 14.5 percent, he said. He observed that to widen the appeal of recycling, it is imperative to organise systematic waste collection points in the country, introduce sustainable recycling at regional level and ensure minimum transport cost for delivery. "Tetra Pak is working on establishing collection points in the country," he added.
Bulleh Shah Paper Mills, a project of Packages Limited, had its own way of contributing to environment, which claims to be an environment-friendly plant. Its claims are substantiated by its state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant (which only a few paper mills in the country own), which treats waste water before it is discharged into water channels.
However, the mills have embarked on a project of producing environment-friendly electricity to meet power shortage through biomass power generation plant, which will be in operation some time in 2012/13. This will indeed set an example for others to follow. The mills are working on setting up a 30 mega watt biomass power generation plant, which will run on agriculture waste.
Fazee Ur Rahman, a Line Manager in Bulleh Shah Paper Mill, told the delegation that in recent times the power shortage is causing huge problems for them and thus they have come with the answer of producing power from biomass. He said the project's initial cost is high, but under the prevailing circumstances it will help the mill in meeting power shortage. "The power produced from biomass is much expensive as compared to gas-based power plant, but it is very cheap when compared to furnace-based power plant," he added.