Tetra Pak to develop paper drinking straws

MANILA, Philippines — The world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company, Tetra Pak, is set to launch a paper straw to help address the issue of plastic straw waste.

Before the year ends, the packaging solutions giant will launch paper straws suitable for its small carton packages. It is part of Tetra Pak’s goal to minimize the use of plastic and eventually fully eradicate them. Previously, the company also encouraged consumers to push straws “back in the pack” once empty, so they can be collected along with the rest of the package.

Plastic straws play an integral functional role on portion packages that are relatively popular among its consumers. This, however, can become part of the plastic waste problem when not properly disposed.

“It sounds simple enough,” shares Charles Brand, Tetra Pak executive vice president for Product Management and Commercial Operations. “But in reality, there are a number of significant challenges to producing a paper straw with the required properties.”

He also ensures that the company will continue to develop biodegradable materials that could make a positive impact on the environment.

“That said, our development team is confident they can find a solution, and that we’ll have a paper straw alternative ready to launch by the end of the year,” Band says.

On average, Tetra Pak packages are about 75 percent paperboard; paper straws would be another important step towards the company’s long-term ambition of offering a completely renewable portfolio.