They are predominantly paper packaging but must be disposed of in the multi-material packaging collection: this is the correct way to differentiate beverage cartons which concerns almost 3 million inhabitants and therefore the majority of the territories of Tuscany.
Information that does not represent real news in these territories but which is at the center of the new campaign “In plasticaaa? Yes” launched by Comieco and Tetra Pak to remind citizens of the importance of recycling properly, always choosing the right bin.
The campaign that starts today – active on and offline – on diversified information media such as posters on bus stop shelters and poles, in train stations, sailing trucks – represents an opportunity to keep attention high on the issues of separate waste collection in order to achieve quality collection, with materials that can then be easily sent for recycling.
After all, beverage cartons are valuable packaging for the paper industry, where they are then effectively recycled, being made mainly of high quality cellulose fibre: after being sent to the multi-material collection, these packages are separated in the Revet plant in Pontedera from other plastic and metal packaging and sent for recycling at the Lucart paper mill in the province of Lucca which uses them to create new recycled paper products such as – for example – napkins and handkerchiefs.
Even the non-cellulose component of beverage cartons is recovered and transformed into a new plastic material suitable for multiple uses.
“Beverage cartons represent on average 1.6% of all multi-material waste collection in the region – explains Carlo Montalbetti, General Director of Comieco -. We estimate that in 2024 – thanks to this new campaign which involves 80% of territories of Tuscany – the collection of this packaging can increase by 25%, increasing paper recycling and bringing the overall fees that Comieco already pays to the partner for the valorisation of this packaging to over 800,000 euros”.
“Tuscany boasts industrial recycling chains that are unparalleled in Italy – says Alessia Scappini, CEO of Revet -, for example that of glass, that of mixed plastics and that of cartons for drinks and food: these three packagings are in fact collected , selected and recycled directly in the region, reducing environmental and economic costs and constituting a truly virtuous model to imitate. Revet continues to invest to intercept more and more flows of materials and allow the valorisation of as much material as possible”.
“This communication campaign is part of a broader project aimed at guaranteeing the circularity of beverage cartons through the implementation of effective collection systems in the area, the adoption of advanced selection technologies and the development of innovative recycling processes, able to allow the recovery of all the components of the package and their conversion into new products – underlined Lorenzo Nannariello, Sustainability Manager of Tetra Pak – Citizens play a primary role in the success of this virtuous path; and paying attention to separate waste collection is essential to ensure a second life for post-consumer beverage cartons.”
The information campaign will continue until June and was organized in collaboration with the managers of the collection services of the territories involved: Ascit, Geofor, AAMPS, Alia Servizi Ambientali, Sei Toscana, Sistema Ambiente.
Source: Press Office
