Tetra Pak Brings AI Carton Sorting to Scotland to Strengthen UK Recycling

Tetra Pak has completed the final stage of its 2025 investment programme to boost food and beverage carton recycling in the UK, with the installation of AI-powered sorting technology at Levenseat Resource Management’s facility in Central Scotland, according to company reports. This represents the first deployment of the Recycleye QuantiSort® system in Scotland, underscoring efforts to modernize the nation’s recycling infrastructure.

The AI system, developed by British start-up Recycleye, uses cameras to identify beverage cartons in mixed waste streams, which are then separated by pneumatic valves for recycling. The upgrade is expected to improve sorting efficiency across regions including Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Dunbartonshire. Earlier this year, two additional UK facilities were also upgraded, bringing Tetra Pak’s total investment in carton-sorting infrastructure during 2025 to £1.4 million. In parallel, the company has committed £2.4 million in total to strengthen UK carton-sorting capabilities, as part of its global annual investment of more than £34 million in collection, sorting, and recycling.

According to Awantika Chadha, Sustainability Manager at Tetra Pak UK, the project demonstrates “how AI technology can enhance recycling and serve as a blueprint for future carton sorting in Scotland and the UK.” Victor Dewulf, CEO of Recycleye, added that the installation “marks a major milestone and highlights AI’s potential to transform waste management.” Angus Hamilton, CEO of Levenseat Resource Management, noted that the upgrade allows the facility to “provide greater value to communities and strengthen Scotland’s recycling system.”

Industry analysts say the investment comes at a pivotal moment for Scotland, where the Circular Economy Act is shaping waste management reforms. The establishment of consistent national recycling standards is expected to reduce consumer confusion and improve recovery rates. In England, similar initiatives such as Simpler Recycling aim to harmonize local authority practices and accelerate carton collection nationwide.

The adoption of AI-powered sorting reflects wider European trends, where digital tools and automation are increasingly seen as essential to scaling up circular economy models. For Tetra Pak, the technology not only reinforces its position as a packaging supplier but also as a sustainability advocate, while local authorities gain a proven tool to raise recycling efficiency.

This latest installation positions Scotland at the forefront of carton recycling innovation in the UK. By combining private-sector investment, supportive policy, and AI-driven technology, stakeholders are building a blueprint for scalable, high-quality recycling systems.

Source: Tetra Pak