Tetra Pak® Recycler, Verdek, Earns Certification from SCS Global Services for Recycled Poly-Aluminum Building Panels and FSC® Kraft Pulp
Tetra Pak® Recycler, Verdek, Earns Certification from SCS Global Services for Recycled Poly-Aluminum Building Panels and FSC® Kraft Pulp
Emeryville, CA – August 12, 2014: Verdek Transformaciones Sustentables (Verdek), a recycling company of Tetra Pak® cartons in Mexico, has earned both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for its recovered pulp fiber and post-consumer Recycled Content certification for its poly-aluminum building panels, both derived from its Tetra Pak recycling facility near Mexico City. The certifications were awarded by SCS Global Services, a leading provider of environmental and sustainability certification worldwide.
“Our auditors have reviewed Verdek’s production process, inputs, and tracking procedures in order to verify the accuracy of its Recycled Content and FSC claims,” said Alicia Godlove, Materials Manager for SCS. “No less than 98% of the raw material for these products is derived from post-consumer Tetra Pak cartons, diverting these containers from the waste stream while producing usable building and paper products.”
Tetra Pak cartons are made from high strength paper fiber layered with aluminum foil and polyethylene plastic. The cardboard paper gives the carton its strength and printing surface while the aluminum and polyethylene protect its contents from light, moisture, oxygen, and microorganisms. The resulting multi-layer ascetic container keeps food and beverage products safe to consume without refrigeration or the use of additional preservatives for up to a year.
Verdek pays Tetra Pak carton recyclers for the used cartons collected from schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods throughout Mexico. Through a “hydro-pulping” process, water and friction are used to separate the cellulose fibers from the polyethylene and aluminum. The fiber is rolled and pressed into blocks to be used for tissues and paper towels. The remaining poly-aluminum is dried, processed, and compressed with a thin layer of polyethylene film and/or kraft paper into building panels that can be used as flooring, roof and ceiling tiles, base layers for kitchen and bathroom countertops, and as a substitute for fiberboard and plywood panels.
Verdek’s certified products will help support downstream markets for environmentally friendly materials. The recycled content poly-aluminum panels will help architects and builders earn credits under the widely adopted LEED v4 rating system of the US Green Building Council and the FSC pulp will allow mills to produce FSC certified tissue and paper products.
Over 172 billion individual Tetra Pak cartons are produced annually in more than 170 countries around the world. They are used by leading food and beverage companies, as well as development and public health organizations, to deliver more than 76 billion liters of milk, juice, nectars and other products to consumers. Although fully recyclable, due to limited infrastructure, it is estimated that only 25% of Tetra Pak cartons are recycled into usable products. Verdek’s manufacturing facility has the capacity to process up to 1000 tons of post-consumer recycled Tetra Pak cartons per month, diverting the equivalent of 388 million 1 liter cartons from the waste stream per year or .23% of total global production.
About SCS Global Services
has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for three decades. Programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. Now in its 30th year, SCS is a Certified B Corporation™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice.