Tetra Pak Recycles 55 Million Tons of Waste in Mexico During 2024

In its newly released 2024 Sustainability Report, Tetra Pak highlights over 55 million t of recycled packaging, a 10% increase from 2023 levels. The Swedish multinational — recognized worldwide for its aseptic packaging technology — also achieved a 33% total recycling rate throughout its Mexico operations. 

”We want to drive the transformation of global food systems, ensuring that people have access to safe food everywhere, while at the same time protecting people and the planet,” says Adolfo Orive, President and CEO, Tetra Pak. 

The report also noted a number of achievements in spreading Tetra Pak recycling throughout Mexico. As of Jan. 1, 2025, the company has established over 820 recycling centers across the country, while also installing 198 unique containers specially designed to receive Tetra Pak material. Meanwhile, the company also worked to increase the number of recycling centers that accept Tetra Pak packaging, recording a 22% increase from 2023. 

According to the report, Tetra Pak invested over MX$100 million (US$5.36 million) into its Queretaro production facility, aiming to make the packaging facility more environmentally friendly. These investments, along with the presence of 1,000 solar panels, have helped reduce the plant’s emissions by 400 t of CO2 equivalent per year. Meanwhile, the company’s Izcalli plant, which manufactures processing equipment previously imported from the European Union and Asia, reached a 98% water recovery rate during equipment testing phases. 

Tetra Pak also carried out a zero-waste program across several municipalities in Oaxaca. Through this program, communities in Chachoapam, Yucuita, Sinaxtla, Suchixtlan, and Yanhuitlan collected 13,039kg of recyclable waste. A key feature was the integration of a differentiated separation system, which required depositing different types of waste in five separate containers, including a container specially made for disposing of Tetra Pak packaging. 

In the coming years, Tetra Pak aims to eradicate waste to landfill from all Tetra Pak packaging production facilities, including its facility in Queretaro. In 2024, the company reduced waste to landfill by 4%. By 2030, Tetra Pak intends to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1 (direct) and 2 (indirect through energy purchase and consumption), while targeting net zero emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 (indirect from third parties) by 2050. The company also aims to source 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030; it powered 94% of its operations from renewables in 2024. 

“In a world where the way we produce food plays a crucial role in protecting natural resources and communities, we have strengthened our commitment to practices that seek to mitigate environmental impacts and improve people's lives.” says Ramiro Ortiz, Director General Mexico, Tetra Pak. According to Ortiz, the company’s goal is to reach 59 million t of recycled packaging in 2025.

Tetra Pak, founded in 1951, began operating in Mexico in 1962, with the Latin American country becoming the first outside of the European Union to host a Tetra Pak production facility. In 2024, the company reported US$12.82 billion in earnings, producing over 178 billion aseptic packages. It employs over 24,500 employees and operates in 160 different countries.