World's first FSC-certified Tetra Pak packages

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international organisation which sets standards for responsible forest management, has certified the latest Tetra Pak package for Sainsbury's

Weighing in at just 18g - compared to 50-200g for competitive packages, the Tetra Recart, can be recycled, is more efficient to store and is more space-efficient to transport.

Sainsbury's is the first supermarket in the world to stock the Tetra Recart package with FSC-certified wood fibre.

Sainsbury's will initially use the packaging for its own-label Premium Chopped Tomatoes.

As the 21st century alternative to canned foods, the Tetra Recart carton reassures Sainsbury's customers that the paperboard used comes from well-managed forests and controlled sources.

The rectangular shape of the package also reduces carbon impact, as it is highly efficient during transportation, storage and in distribution, using 33% less space than a can.

As well as being two thirds lighter than a tin can, the Tetra Recart as well as other carton packages from Tetra Pak are recyclable, meaning Sainsbury's customers will be buying one of the most sustainable packages on supermarket shelves.

Tetra Pak already sources 100% of its paperboard in Europe from FSC chain-of-custody certified suppliers.

The new certification with Sainsbury's means that the entire supply chain - from the forest to the retail shelf - comes from FSC - certified, well managed forests and controlled sources.

Overall, 74% of Tetra Pak cartons are made from a renewable resource.

Said Claes Du Rietz, Vice President Global Environment, Tetra Pak: "Tetra Pak firmly believes that being environmentally responsible is the basis of good business.

Launching the world's first FSC-labelled carton for liquid and canned food is a first step in a long and complicated process of having third party certification for the entire value chain of our all our packages.

Our ultimate goal is to have all the paper in our packaging certified to the highest standard - currently set by the FSC".

In addition to these environmental credentials, Tetra Pak has been active in facilitating and promoting local collection and recycling of used consumer cartons around the world, with a goal of that one out of four cartons sold worldwide should be recycled in 2008.

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