Milk cartons are 100% recyclable and the recycling method is unexpected

I'm sure you are all familiar with milk. Do you remember that we had a program before that specifically talked about the current "volume" of the dairy industry? Since it is so popular, the premise must be that the market is huge and suitable for all ages. Today, we will not talk about the connotation of milk, but the extension of milk - milk cartons.

Let me ask you a question first. How should we deal with the milk cartons we have drunk? In terms of garbage classification, does it belong to other garbage or recyclable garbage? Don't check, answer immediately. This is dirty, so you must just throw it away. But have you ever thought about where the milk cartons go after they become garbage? In fact , milk cartons are a kind of recyclable garbage that can be 100% recycled , and it is also a relatively special kind of recyclable garbage .

Let's start with the packaging of milk cartons. The packaging of milk cartons is called Tetra Pak , which is a composite packaging made of paper, polyethylene plastic and aluminum foil . It was named after the Swedish Tetra Pak company that invented it. It was born in the 1950s. Don't underestimate it. This invention 70 years ago was once considered the greatest invention in Sweden, because such a small package can effectively isolate light , oxygen and external pollution . Even without refrigeration and preservatives, it can keep milk and many liquid beverages fresh for a long time , greatly reducing the pressure and cost of transportation , and also allowing products to have a longer shelf life .

As you can see, this invention is still widely used today. According to statistics, in 2019 alone, the global sales of Tetra Pak packages exceeded 190 billion, which means that on average, each person on earth uses 25 Tetra Pak packages a year . Families with children probably use far more than this number.

Used Tetra Pak packaging is absolutely a resource that can be 100% recycled and reused . Through hydraulic pulping and aluminum-plastic separation technology, the paper, plastic and aluminum foil in the composite paper packaging can be completely separated. The paper outer layer can be used to make cardboard, paper, etc., and the aluminum film inner layer can be used to make packaging and aluminum alloy production. Alternatively, this composite material can be directly transformed into environmentally friendly products such as park guardrails, trash cans, desks and chairs, outdoor floors, etc. through plastic wood technology and color board technology.

20 milk cartons can be made into a small pen holder; 200 milk cartons can be made into a small stool; 2,000 milk cartons can be put together to form a small table. Each ton of such Tetra Pak packaging can directly reduce the felling of 12 trees, reduce 3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and save 1.8 tons of bauxite...

Unfortunately, the recycling cost of Tetra Pak is very high . Before garbage classification was widely promoted, urban residents tended to pay more attention to the recycling of beverage bottles, cans and other packaging, and paid little attention to the recycling of soft packaging such as Tetra Pak. This is also because once a Tetra Pak is used, it is not as easy to collect as a plastic bottle, and the residual milk inside may also produce odor, so most people just throw it away.

The good news is that more and more cities , communities and schools have begun to advocate and organize the recycling of Tetra Pak packaging . Many schools and kindergartens that collectively order milk for students will organize students to wash and fold used Tetra Pak packaging. This is not only a very efficient way to recycle Tetra Pak packaging, but also allows our next generation to establish environmental awareness from an early age.

Finally, Brother Rong will share with you the recycling method of Tetra Pak. First, take out the straw, flatten the four corners of the box, then cut the sides of the box with scissors, and then use clean water to wash the remaining milk inside to prevent it from spoiling and stinking. Then put the washed paper box in a ventilated place to dry, and finally put the Tetra Pak packaging into the recyclable trash can.

It's a bit of work, but it will definitely make the world a better place.