Environment

Tetra Pak has received confirmation from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Wrap that it will be in the 'widely recycled' category of the new common recycling logo for retail packaging.

To be classed as 'widely recycled' at least 65% of local authorities must have collection facilities, and 83% currently offer carton collection through a mixture of bring-banks and kerbside schemes.

Tetra Pak was included in the bottom of the three categories, for materials 'not currently recycled', when the BRC launched a consultation on the logo in November 2007.

But most local authorities now have at least five bring-banks that will accept cartons.

The company has guaranteed to provide funding for carton bring-banks until the end of 2009.

There are four materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in the UK that can sort cartons, with a fifth under construction.

"We're very proud of the progress the industry has made in expanding carton recycling facilities. We believe it is now important to help consumers to easily understand their recycling options, and the BRC labelling initiative will be useful in this regard. Locally-specific recycling information will also remain important, as circumstances will vary from area to area," said Tetra Pak UK environment manager Richard Hands.