Henriksen, who recently participated in a panel discussion on the decarbonisation of food systems alongside Lord Deben, Chair of the Climate Change Committee, and Wera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, expressed optimism regarding the potential of policy to drive sustainable food packaging production. The collaboration between politics and business is crucial in this endeavor. According to Henriksen, “Businesses must come together in support of the design and implementation of future recycling policies, ensuring that adequate infrastructure for the separate collection of used packaging is put in place.”
Tetra Pak is actively working with the UK government to enhance recycling collection efforts and investing in these initiatives. As a member of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE), Tetra Pak participates in advancing a circular economy by providing a platform for European carton manufacturers. Henriksen states, “As a member of ACE, we support broader recycling initiatives and beverage cartons as a low carbon, fully recyclable, renewable packaging format. In the UK, 97% of local authority areas collect cartons for recycling, through a combination of bring back or kerbside collection, with 66% of local authorities implementing kerbside collection of carton packages. Tetra Pak, through its partnership with ACE UK, is working closely with local authorities and waste management companies to increase the rate of carton collection in the UK by further assisting in the development of recycling infrastructure. ACE UK’s dedicated recycling facility in Halifax has the capacity to recycle up to 40% of the cartons manufactured each year for the UK food and drink market.”
However, despite these efforts, Henriksen criticizes the current recycling infrastructure in the UK and highlights the need for consistency in collection infrastructure to boost recycling rates. Henriksen anticipates the government’s response to the consultation on consistent household and business collection, expecting it to increase current collection and recycling rates while providing a commercial rationale for greater investment in the country’s recycling infrastructure, including carton recycling facilities.
Henriksen strongly advocates for a wider implementation of Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) across the UK. Although the Scottish devolved government’s attempt to implement a DRS was postponed until October 2025 by the UK government, Henriksen emphasizes the benefits that a DRS can offer. Henriksen suggests that a DRS “has a key role in driving better recycling, but it must be easily understood by consumers and underpinned by the latest technology. It should also be wide in scope and as ambitious as possible.” Henriksen expresses disappointment with the current limited scope of the planned DRS in England, which only includes PET plastic and aluminium and steel cans, and the absence of exploration into new digital DRS technology.
Henriksen attributes the growth in sustainable food packaging to increasing consumer demand. Consumers place greater importance on sustainable packaging and expect the food and beverage sector to contribute to climate change mitigation. Tetra Pak’s recent research shows that 68% of consumers highly value businesses that offer recyclable packaging. Failure to meet these expectations may impact both brand reputation and businesses’ bottom lines. While customer enthusiasm for sustainable packaging is already high, Tetra Pak aims to further increase it. Henriksen mentions Tetra Pak’s efforts to educate consumers, particularly through school programs, to make informed and environmentally conscious choices.
Looking ahead, Henriksen reveals Tetra Pak’s ongoing development of the “world’s most sustainable food package,” which is exclusively made from renewable sources and fully recyclable. This product is currently being tested in Spain with the goal of eventual commercial-scale launch. Henriksen concludes by acknowledging the consumer demand for such innovations and emphasizing the need for industry leaders to meet these demands.
