Aluminium recycling rates up amidst pack industry drive
Representatives for the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) said that figures compiled in 2007 showed that 53.8 per cent of aluminium cans were recycled in the country, reflecting a 2.2 percentage point increase over the 2006 period.
The rates, which appear in line with overall European growth in packaging recycling, reflect a growing focus pressure on reducing landfill waste through all types of packaging in the bloc.
The US-based Aluminum Association chairman Kevin Anton said that the work of the entire industry in the country showed its commitment to improving the amount of beverage packaging being kept from landfill.
"The aluminium can is environmentally sustainable," he stated. "Our industry is committed to doing the right thing and continuing to work to increase the number of aluminium cans recycled annually."
Euro pack comparisons
In Europe, by the end of this year, 50 per cent of all metal packaging in the bloc must be recycled, according to official targets. By the same deadline, 60 per cent of glass and paper packaging materials must be reclaimed, while 22.5 per cent pf plastics should also be recoverable, according to official papers.
The most recent official EU figures on packaging materials across all 25 member states - published in 2005 - found that metal recycling, both in terms of aluminium and steel, had increased marginally by 0.7 percentage points to 57.7 per cent compared to 2004.
While not related specifically on the food and beverage industry, paperboard remained the most recycled packaging material in the bloc overall, with rates climbing by 3.1 per cent to 73.5 per cent over the same time period.
Glass and plastics remained just behind their 2008 targets in 2005 at 59 per cent and 24.8 per cent respectively.
Paperboard push
Despite being the most recycled over all packaging material, the actual amount of beverage carton material being reused remains much less, according to industry group the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE).
According to the group's own figures, 32 per cent of the total volume of beverage cartons were recycled in Europe back in 2007.
The group added that this was a 7 per cent point rise over the same period in 2006 though.
Like its counterparts in the US aluminium industry, ACE director general Christian Verschueren said that carton makers were also increasingly looking to provide greater recyclable solutions to manufacturers.
"Our industry is committed to increase recycling levels of our beverage cartons," he stated. "This is why we encourage collection schemes through partnerships with local authorities and drive innovation for our products."
