Tetra Pak has unveiled the last stage of its three-part investment initiative aimed at enhancing food and beverage carton sorting capabilities in the UK.

Source:

This project marks the first installation of AI-driven optical sorting technology in Scotland.

In partnership with British technology start-up Recycleye, Tetra Pak has funded the production and installation of cutting-edge AI-powered optical sorting technology at Levenseat Resource Management’s materials recycling facility (MRF) located in Central Scotland.

The innovative technology, referred to as Recycleye QuantiSort, utilizes AI and cameras to identify beverage cartons within the mixed materials waste stream. Pneumatic valves then eject these cartons for recycling.

This upgrade will empower Levenseat Resource Management to improve the sorting of food and beverage cartons for recycling purposes.

The company serves a broad region, encompassing Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Dumbartonshire.

The announcement of funding for Levenseat follows two earlier upgrades at MRFs this year, bringing Tetra Pak's total investment in UK sorting infrastructure for 2025 to £1.4 million.

As the first site highlighted in May, J&B Recycling in Hartlepool received two new robotic sorting arms, also developed by Recycleye.

In July, Cumbria Waste Management in Carlisle became the first site in the UK to implement the Recycleye QuantiSort technology, which had previously been utilized in MRFs in Spain.

The timing of this investment at a Scottish MRF is particularly significant due to initiatives being undertaken as part of the Circular Economy Act.

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. We are committed to supporting the transition to a circular economy in the UK, and will continue to advocate for our approach at Levenseat Resource Management, and elsewhere, to be seen as a blueprint for the future of food and beverage carton sorting capabilities both in Scotland and across the UK.

^{Awantika Chadha, sustainability manager, Tetra Pak UK}

This includes Tetra Pak collaborating with the Scottish Government to ensure that cartons are incorporated into the updated Code of Practice for local authorities, aiming to establish a consistent recycling approach and alleviate consumer confusion about recyclable materials.