Tetra Pak Southern Africa Reports Strong Progress on 2030 Recycling Goals

Tetra Pak Southern Africa released its full-year 2025 sustainability results, achieving a 33 percent post-consumer carton collection rate and 31 percent recycling rate for liquid board packaging (LBP) in South Africa. This marks an increase from the 24 percent recycling rate in 2024. The gains stem from investments totaling just under R100 million over recent years, including R17 million in 2025, to expand collection and recycling infrastructure nationwide. As the sole producer driving post-consumer carton recycling in South Africa, Tetra Pak partners with the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) Petco to meet Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) targets. "Achieving a 33 percent collection rate and 31 percent recycling rate for 2025 demonstrates the real impact of consistent investment and strong partnerships," said Wael Khoury, Managing Director of Tetra Pak Southern Africa. "While we continue working toward our 2030 goals, the progress reflected in this year's results shows that our long-term strategy is delivering meaningful benefits for communities, the economy and the environment." Petco CEO Telly Chauke noted, "Collaboration continues to be central to the company's momentum. The growth in carton collection and recycling over the past year demonstrates the strength of shared commitment in building a functional and inclusive recycling value chain." Partnerships with recyclers Mpact and Gayatri Paper Mills have integrated carton recycling into operations. Buy-back centres collecting LBP cartons grew from 32 to over 220 nationwide in two years, boosting volumes for waste collectors. Masale Manoko, Head of Sustainability for Sub-Saharan Africa, added, "Alongside infrastructure investment, our national education and outreach programmes are helping embed awareness around the value of cartons in the recycling stream. Through recycling champions working directly with waste pickers and buy-back centres, we're building a culture that understands and supports the circular economy." The results represent one of the largest year-on-year increases in carton recycling rates in South Africa's packaging sector.