Opportunities to improve the status of post consumer use of Tetra Pak cartons- a case study of Tetra Pak carton recycling in Delhi
Student name: Ms Latika Grover
Guide: Dr Suneel Pandey
Year of completion: 2016
Host Organisation: Indian Pollution Control Association
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Ashish Jain
Abstract: The ever-growing population of Indian cities has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the per capita waste generation. Even though the problem of waste management has hit the country, municipal solid waste management still remains neglected with respect to other issues of national concern. This often leads to unscientific disposal of waste causing serious damage to public health and environment. Tetra Pak carton is multilayer packaging material composed of paper, aluminium and low density polyethylene. The study was done to explore the opportunities by which post consumer Tetra Pak cartons can be collected, disposed and recycled in an effective manner in Delhi. For this purpose the supply chain of post consumer Tetra Pak cartons (PCC), Paper Recycling Industry of India, products made from recycled PCCs and relevant regulations were studied by means of primary and secondary literature. Primary data collection included field visits, questionnaire based surveys, interviews and focussed group discussions with various stakeholders of the PCC supply chain. It was found that the PCC supply chain had numerous challenges such as PCC collection and demand from the recycler’s end. Also the paper recycling industry which currently recycles PCC waste faces constraints to recycle this complex waste. Feasibility of manufacturing products like Poly-Al sheets was determined through economic valuation and by highlighting its environmental benefits. The study supports some untapped opportunities which can be adopted and used to make best use of waste as a resource and generate wealth.
Key words: waste management, post consumer Tetra Pak cartons, Supply chain, Delhi, paper recycling
