European aluminium beverage cans recycling rate improve over 2% YoY to 76.1%, shows latest data

The recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland increased by more than 2 per cent from 74.5 per cent in 2017 to 76.1 per cent in 2018, showed the latest data from European Aluminium and Metal Packaging Europe. The total amount of aluminium recycled in the said year rose by 37,000 tonnes to an impressive 457,000, representing a total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings of 3.7 million tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to the amount of GHG emissions of a mid-size European town with 400,000 inhabitants.

Both can manufacturers and their aluminium suppliers are happy with the recycling rate and believe that this can increase further in the future with more optimisation of separate packaging collection systems in Europe and by implementing modern and balanced deposit return schemes for beverage cans and other relevant beverage containers. These can improve beverage can recycling rate to 90 per cent or more.

Leonie Knox-Peebles, CEO of Metal Packaging Europe, stated: “With an impressive recycling rate of 76.1%, the aluminium beverage can is well positioned to contribute to the EU’s vision of becoming a truly circular economy. Consistent year-on-year increases on already high rates, combined with a well-functioning market for recycled material, demonstrate that the aluminium beverage can is a sustainable packaging solution with a key role to play in a resource-efficient society.”

Maarten Labberton, Director Packaging Group at European Aluminium, added: “We hope that our recycling success and permanent material properties are recognized in the upcoming review of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and that a distinction is made between materials which can be recycled endlessly and materials which down-cycle after only a few reuse or recycling trips.”