Food packaging giant Tetra Pak has invested in a pair of robotic arms for sorting cartons at a materials recycling facility (MRF) in the North East.
The technology will allow FCC Environment subsidiary J&B Recycling to boost separation of food and drink packaging at a plant in Hartlepool.
It forms part of Tetra Pak’s commitment to spend more than £2m per year expanding food and drink carton sorting infrastructure in the UK.
The company is expected to announce investment in other MRFs over the coming months.
Awantika Chadha, sustainability manager at Tetra Pak UK, said: “Today’s announcement of the robotic arm installation at J&B Recycling demonstrates our commitment to improving the UK’s recycling infrastructure.”
Vikki Jackson-Smith, managing director at J&B Recycling, said the firm was “proud” to be working with TetraPak and technology provider Recycleye on the “important project to enhance beverage carton recycling at our facility”.
Mandy Kelly, Chief Executive of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment UK, described the installation as an “outstanding initiative”.
“This investment marks a significant step forward in delivering the UK’s circular economy ambitions, enabling even more fully recyclable liquid cartons to be given a second life at our dedicated UK reprocessing facility,” she added.
