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Japanese Tetra Pak's Commitment to Environmental Education in Schools

In a remarkable initiative, Japanese Tetra Pak Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, is once again offering free educational materials to 500 elementary schools nationwide for the school year 2026. This program is in line with the Ministry of Education's selected curriculum, specifically targeting the 6th-grade science unit on 'Biology and Environment.' Through this educational offering, students will learn about resource circulation and environmental issues using the familiar concept of milk cartons, known as Tetra Brik®.

Learning Through Familiar Materials

The primary objective of this educational initiative is to create learning opportunities that relate closely to students' everyday experiences, while also alleviating the workload on teachers during their class preparation. The educational set, titled "What Can We Do for the Earth? – The Secrets of a Milk Carton," includes several resources: a video (approximately 12 minutes long on DVD), a student booklet, and a teacher's guide, which consists of lesson plans and worksheets.

Expanding Reach in the Education Sector

Since its introduction, this educational material has been adopted by approximately 1,000 schools, impacting around 66,000 students across Japan by 2025. Feedback from teachers indicates high satisfaction with the content and usability:

• - “The visual and booklet combination makes lessons easier to deliver.”
• - “By considering environmental issues through a common object like a milk carton, students engage personally with these topics.”
• - “It connects well with the science curriculum and deepens understanding.”
• - “The material sparks students' interests and promotes learning filled with surprises and realizations.”
• - “It's useful for introducing research and inquiry-based learning.”

A Focus on the Local Context to Address Global Issues

Japanese Tetra Pak operates as a supplier of milk cartons used in school lunches, and aims to help students understand environmental challenges as personal matters. By focusing on items students regularly encounter, such as milk cartons, the program provides explanations of global warming causes and impacts, as well as corporate commitments to reducing environmental footprints.

Providing a set of resources helps teachers to easily implement the materials without the need to create lessons from scratch, facilitating a smoother transition from inquiry-based learning to deeper exploration.

Addressing Teacher's Workload Challenges

Within Japan's educational environment, one significant issue is the lack of adequate time for lesson preparation within working hours. Research by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training indicates that over 70% of young elementary school teachers report having less than 30 minutes a day for lesson preparation. Additional data shows that Japanese teachers, when compared internationally, work longer hours on average.

In light of these challenges, the Ministry of Education is urging improvements in lesson quality to facilitate 'active, dialogue-based, and deep learning,' which requires cross-disciplinary teaching approaches. This presents challenges, especially when tackling topics that span multiple subjects such as environmental issues, necessitating considerable time for material preparation—heightening stress levels among teachers.

Detailed Overview of the Educational Materials

The educational material, specifically tailored for the 6th-grade science unit, includes:

• - Video Material (DVD, approx. 12 minutes)
• - Student Booklet (B5, 12 pages)
• - Teacher’s Guide (A4, 8 pages)

Learning Content Highlights:

Participants will explore topics such as:

• - The causes and impacts of global warming
• - The role of plant-based polyethylene as a renewable resource
• - The production process and recycling mechanisms of milk cartons
• - Suggestions for environmentally friendly behavior in daily life

You can find the video content for this educational material available for viewing on their website.

Application Process for Materials

To apply for the educational materials, interested schools should contact the Educational Material Department at the Broadcasting and Film Production Company, providing necessary details like school name and the number of student booklets needed.
The application period runs from May 18, 2026, to July 17, 2026, or until supplies last for the first 500 schools.

Future Commitments to Environmental Education

In addition to providing free educational materials, Japanese Tetra Pak is also committed to furthering environmental education through demonstration classes and running a special website dedicated to learning about paper cartons and recycling in an enjoyable manner. Through these initiatives, they aim to enhance environmental awareness among the young generations who will inherit the earth.

About Tetra Pak

Founded in Sweden in 1951, Tetra Pak is a leading global company in food processing and packaging systems. Their commitment is to ensure that food is safely available everywhere. Tetra Pak operates in over 160 countries, with over 24,000 employees working in sustainability-focused ways to protect food, people, and the planet under the motto: ‘PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD™’.