PARMALAT EMBARKS ON CONSTRUCTION OF TETRA PACK RECYCLING PLANT
LACTALIS Zambia Limited, owner of the brand Parmalat has announced plans to start a waste management processing project to recycle tetra Pak material used in packaging milk and other liquids in a bid to contribute to effective sanitation and waste management.
The company is aiming to partner with the municipality, local businesses and organizations to collect and process waste tetra Pak material into plastic and aluminum for manufacturing new packages.
According to Paolo Lombardi, General Manager for Southern Africa at Parmalat Limited, the tetra Pak carton is a complex, three- layer material that requires specialized processing.
“We don’t operate processing plants alone, but we partner with Tetra Pak, which has two recycling plants in Africa. We’re seeking partnerships with Zambian companies that use tetra Pak to collect waste for recycling,”
Lombardi explained.
Mr Lombardi noted that the project’s timeline and budget will be determined after extensive consultations with all stakeholders.
He said the recycled aluminum could be reworked into new products, such as tiles or school desks.
Mr Lombardi emphasized that the project’s primary goal is environmental sustainability, not economic gain.
“We want to ensure our packages have a second life after consumption. We are increasingly aware of the impact litter has on the environment,” he said.
While the project is still in its initial stages, Lactalis Zambia, owner of the brand Parmalat, is engaging with the Lusaka City Council and other key stakeholders, including the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company ( LISWMC), to move the project forward. The company is calling on other businesses to join the initiative and provide technical expertise in sanitation.