Every Can Counts initiative programme welcomes Brazil in its recycling drive

Brazil will be a key participant in Europe's top drink can recycling programme, with a recycling rate of over 95 percent for aluminium cans.

The Every Can Counts programme welcomes Brazil to its growing community after 12 years of pushing people to recycle on the move in 19 European nations. A group of brands, organisations, people, and festivals that works together to fulfil the aim of achieving a 100 percent recycling rate for drinking cans. Abralatas, the Brazilian Association of Aluminium Can Manufacturers (Associaço Brasileira dos Fabricantes de Latas de Alumnio), is launching a Brazilian version of Every Can Counts called "Cada Lata Conta."

The programme began with a series of environmental education and behaviour change events at Villa-Lobos Park in So Paulo (4-5 December) and a celebration in Natal to commemorate the Carnatal (9-12 December).

Carnatal huge metal structures at the centre of VillaLobos Park, in the shape of recycling symbols, were placed and recycling ambassadors with green backpacks involving over 20,000 people to boost recycling awareness while collecting cans. At the same time, photo opportunities arose from graffiti art panels created from over 30,000 recycled cans and designed by artist Ricardo Kaur.

Following So Paulo, the Cada Lata Conta squad travelled to Carnatal, Brazil's greatest off-season Carnival, held in Natal (RN). Seventy backpackers worked with locals to ensure that every can was collected throughout the four-day festival as part of the cooperation between Cada Lata Conta and the Coocamar garbage picker cooperative.

This alliance is expected to emphasise the environmental, economic, and social benefits of recycling while also emphasising the importance of garbage pickers as an integral element of Brazil's recycling system, according to the programme. Visitors to both events were not only wowed by the eye-catching exhibits but also had the opportunity to learn more about the program's introduction in Brazil and planned projects.

Cada Lata Conta now has a new Portuguese-language website as well as social media platforms to promote the circular economy's relevance for our planet's long-term sustainability. These events, according to Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of Abralatas, were the first of many to come to Brazil and represent a new type of consumer-focused recycling programme.

“As a matter of fact, Cada Lata Conta/Every Can Counts values individual actions, especially with the new generation of consumers. Brazil already boasts one of the highest drink can recycling rates in the world: consistently above 95% with the commitment to maintain and even improve further this percentage. We want to show Brazilians a true example of a circular economy in a fun, straightforward, and creative way,” said Cátilo Cândido.

"The launch of Cada Lata Conta in Brazil is a natural extension of our commitment and vision in Europe: We strive to reach 100% drink can recycling and raise awareness among all consumers around the world about the importance of keeping drink cans in the recycling loop, wherever they consume them", said David Van Heuverswyn, Director Every Can Counts Europe.