Welcome back, GFZs!

Today, we're diving into the latest green initiative straight from the heart of Australia – Victoria's brand-spanking new deposit scheme for Tetra Pak beverage cartons. You know those part cardboard, part aluminium and part plastic cartons our long-life milk and nut milk come in?

Are Tetra Paks recyclable in Australia?

You might think those Tetra Paks are just innocent cardboard boxes waiting to be tossed into the recycling bin. However, these seemingly simple containers are a complex cocktail of mixed materials, making recycling them difficult.

To add to the confusion, some councils accept them and some don't so there is no straightforward 'yes' or 'no' answer to whether Tetra Paks are recyclable in Australia. The only way to find out if your Tetra Pak is a VIP (Very Important Paper) or a misfit destined for the landfill is by Googling "your council name + recycling guide". You will be surprised by the in-depth list you find, and it will take away most of your recycling questions.

Here are some handy resources for you to find out more about your local council.

How Victoria is leading the change in recovering Tetra Paks...

To take the confusion away and guarantee the recovery of this mixed material, the Victorian government has a solution like Containers For Change – a Tetra Pak deposit scheme. You drop off your old Tetra Paks at the collection points, and earn 10 cents with every carton! Woot woot! 

Now, before you start cartwheeling in celebration (and risk a spillage of your precious nut milk), it's essential to mention that this project is just taking place currently in Victoria and that not all councils dance to the same recycling beat so we can only hope that other regions will soon follow suit.

To check the eligiblity of your containers for Victorias Tetra Pak deposit scheme, scan your container barcode on the CDS Vic app or enter in you container details here

How to reduce Tetra Paks?

Recycling is not the ultimate solution; we truly believe that stopping waste at its source is the way forward, but for now, this is such a win for keeping waste from landfills and preventing wish cycling!
Have you ever considered making your own if you buy Tetra Pack for nut milk? It allows you to control the ingredients, say goodbye to preservatives, revel in a fresh flavour and reduce packaging waste. A win-win for your taste buds and Mother Earth. Watch us make it step by step, and if you are keen to give it a try, grab yourself an organic cotton nut milk bag here. It's fun, we promise!

Until next week GFZ's, for now, we recommend this incredible story about mushrooms replacing styrofoam; it's a goodie! 

Much love, 

GFZ Team xx