Tetra Pak has announced an upgrade to the food and drink packaging carton sorting capabilities at J&B Recycling’s materials recycling facility (MRF) in Hartlepool. This enhancement, achieved in collaboration with British technology start-up Recycleye, includes the production and installation of two robotic arms specifically designed for the efficient sorting of food and drink cartons.
This strategic upgrade will empower J&B Recycling, part of FCC Environment, to enhance its ability to sort food and drink sustainable packaging for recycling. The facility supports several local authorities, including Newcastle City Council, Sunderland City Council, North Tyneside Council, Hartlepool Council, and Hull Council.
Additionally, two other MRFs in the UK have received a similar investment to improve their food and drink carton sorting technology. This brings Tetra Pak’s total investment in UK sorting infrastructure for 2025 to £1.4 million, with announcements regarding the other sites expected later this year.
This investment in J&B Recycling signifies a significant milestone in Tetra Pak’s ongoing partnership with legislators and local authorities to enhance the collection, sorting, and recycling of food and drink cartons across the UK.
Tetra Pak’s initiative is part of a broader commitment of over £34 million annually aimed at expanding global food and drink packaging recycling infrastructure, in collaboration with stakeholders throughout the value chain. Of this, £2.4 million has been allocated specifically for sorting infrastructure for food and drink cartons in the UK, supplemented by £24 million from the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE UK). This funding supports the overall recycling value chain, including collection points, bring banks, and upgrades to sorting facilities.
This investment comes just ahead of the government’s Simpler Recycling policy set to launch in March 2026. Tetra Pak has played a significant role in shaping this policy, which will enable households across England to dispose of their cartons for recycling directly from the kerbside. Additionally, new regulations introduced for businesses in England require the separation of specific materials in designated bins, expected to significantly boost the kerbside collection of food and drink cartons. This development makes efficient sorting infrastructure even more essential.
Awantika Chadha, Sustainability Manager, Tetra Pak UK, stated: “We believe in, and are working towards, a highly effective recycling system. Today’s announcement of the robotic arm installation at J&B Recycling demonstrates our commitment to improving the UK’s recycling infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with industry leaders such as Recycleye on innovative sorting solutions that strengthen the entire recycling chain.”
Victor Dewulf, Co-founder and CEO of Recycleye, expressed: “We’re excited to collaborate with Tetra Pak, ACE UK, and MRFs like J&B Recycling to enhance the sorting of food and drink packaging. We believe that technology is a vital part of the solution to enhance recycling systems—our robotic arm has proven successful in improving carton sorting. The installation has been seamless with minimal disruption, allowing us to quickly recover food and drink cartons. We look forward to further supporting the industry.”
Vikki Jackson-Smith, Managing Director at J&B Recycling, remarked: “We are proud to partner with Tetra Pak and Recycleye on this important initiative to improve beverage carton recycling at our facility. We are grateful for the investment in J&B Recycling and the opportunity to enhance the UK’s recycling infrastructure. This technology upgrade will boost our operational efficiency and support local authorities as they transition to Simpler Recycling. At J&B Recycling, our commitment lies in implementing innovative solutions for environmentally responsible waste management within our communities.”
Mandy Kelly, Chief Executive of ACE UK, noted: “This investment represents a major step forward in achieving the UK’s circular economy goals, allowing for even more recyclable liquid cartons to be processed at our dedicated UK facility. By enhancing the capabilities of materials recovery facilities to sort and identify cartons, we can ensure that a greater volume of this valuable material is recycled and retained within the circular economy. This initiative exemplifies successful industry collaboration and arrives at a crucial juncture as local authorities and waste operators prepare for Simpler Recycling. ACE UK is proud to support this remarkable project.”
For further information about Tetra Pak, visit www.tetrapak.com.
To learn more about J&B Recycling, please visit www.jbrecycling.co.uk.
For additional information, visit: www.ace-uk.co.uk.
