Tetra Pak: How to Use AI to Improve Recycling & Circularity
Tetra Pak has finalised its 2025 UK investment programme, a project designed to enhance the nation's capacity for recycling and contribute to a more circular economy.
The culmination of this initiative is the installation of an AI-powered optical sorting system at Levenseat Resource Management's facility in Central Scotland.
This US$1.8m programme marks Tetra Pak's most substantial single investment in British recycling infrastructure, signalling a commitment to improving sustainability within the waste management sector.
AI technology and recycling infrastructure
The new system at the Levenseat facility, which serves multiple Scottish regions, uses advanced technology from the British start-up Recycleye.
This makes Levenseat the first materials recycling facility (MRF) in Scotland to deploy Recycleye's QuantiSort technology.
The system uses a combination of AI and high-specification cameras to identify beverage cartons from mixed waste streams.
Once identified pneumatic valves separate the cartons, preparing them for the recycling process.
This targeted investment could improve carton recovery rates across a large part of Scotland.
The installation in Scotland represents the final part of a three-stage upgrade programme by Tetra Pak across the UK.
Prior to this, J&B Recycling in Hartlepool received two robotic sorting arms in May and Cumbria Waste Management in Carlisle became the first UK site to use the QuantiSort technology in July.
The success of the technology in Spanish MRFs before the UK rollout could show its scalability and adaptability in different market conditions.
The timing of these installations aligns with the implementation of Scotland's Circular Economy Act and the development of England's Simpler Recycling programme.
Both initiatives from the respective governments aim to standardise recycling collections and clarify for consumers what can and cannot be recycled.
"We are delighted to be able to demonstrate the power that investment in cutting-edge AI technology holds when it comes to improving the UK's recycling infrastructure," says Awantika Chadha, Sustainability Manager at Tetra Pak UK.
Strategic partnerships for a circular economy
Recycleye has been Tetra Pak's key technology partner for all three UK installations.
This collaboration provides a major commercial opportunity for the AI company, positioning it within the expanding waste management technology sector.
The partnership highlights a broader trend of established companies collaborating with technology start-ups to address complex sustainability challenges.
By investing in this technology, Tetra Pak is supporting innovation that could transform the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling processes.
"AI has the capability to transform waste management and we hope that our work with Levenseat and others will show MRFs and local authorities the possibilities this flexible technology offers," says Victor Dewulf, Recycleye's Co-Founder and CEO.
Closing the recycling loop
This project is part of a wider global strategy by Tetra Pak, which has committed US$44m annually towards developing packaging recycling systems.
According to Tetra Pak, US$3.1m has been allocated specifically for UK carton sorting infrastructure, highlighting the strategic importance of the British market in its sustainability goals.
The investment addresses a growing need for more sophisticated processing capabilities at MRFs.
According to ACE UK, nearly three-quarters of British councils now offer kerbside collection for liquid cartons.
"With almost three quarters of UK councils now collecting liquid cartons at the kerbside, it is vital that there is investment in MRF infrastructure," explains Mandy Kelly, CEO of ACE UK.
The investment programme by Tetra Pak aims to bridge the gap between rising collection rates and the capacity to process these materials efficiently.
This could lead to improved overall recycling efficiency for beverage cartons, a crucial step in reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable approach to packaging.
