Aluminum cans are the most recycled beverage containers

This study was completed by Eunomia Research and Consulting, a well-known research institution commissioned by the International Aluminum Association. According to reports, the study is the first public study to comprehensively analyze the extent of recycling and loss of 3 types of beverage containers in different regions. The five countries and regions selected for this study, Brazil, China, Japan, the United States and Europe, cover about 70% of the global aluminum can market, about 70% of the carbonated soft drink, water and hot-fill plastic bottle market, and about 50% of the global aluminum can market. glass bottle market.

On March 15th, a study commissioned by the International Aluminum Association pointed out that among the three main disposable beverage containers, aluminum cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles, aluminum cans have the highest collection rate after the end of their service life and the smallest loss in the recycling system , the most conducive to the development of circular economy.

The study investigates end-of-life disposal losses and closed loop systems including collection, sorting, reprocessing and heat treatment for aluminum cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles in five major markets: Brazil, China, Japan, the United States and Europe etc. found that the recycling rate of aluminum cans reached 71%, which means that out of every three aluminum cans, two are recycled and made into new products. Among them, one was remade into aluminum cans within 60 days, and the other was made into other products. The recycling rate of plastic bottles and glass bottles is only 40% and 34%.

The study found that aluminum cans outperform glass and plastic bottles at all stages of the recycling value chain. At the end of service life, the collection rate of aluminum cans is as high as 79%, while that of glass bottles and plastic bottles is only 51% and 61%, that is, more glass bottles and plastic bottles are landfilled; The sorting, reprocessing and remelting efficiency of cans is as high as 90%, while that of glass bottles and plastic bottles is only 67% and 66%, that is, the loss of glass bottles and plastic bottles in the recycling system is more than three times that of aluminum cans.

In the 1950s, the Coors Brewing Company mass-produced aluminum cans for the first time in an effort to improve beer flavor and make packaging more environmentally friendly. As you can see, the environmental goals that developed this pioneering product so many years ago are still being achieved.

Ramon Arratia (Ramon Arratia), vice president of global public affairs of Ball Corporation, a world-renowned aluminum packaging supplier, said: "It can be said that aluminum is the material of choice for circular economy, especially in the recycling process of carbon. In terms of emission reduction." Andrew Wood, head of group strategy and business development at Alumina Limited, said: "This (excellent performance of aluminum cans in recycling) may drive secondary aluminum and primary aluminum. need."

The study pointed out that at present, no beverage container material is fully recycled, and suggested that the loss rate of aluminum can be further reduced by implementing an "environmental deposit return system". The "environmental protection deposit system" means that consumers need to pay a deposit when purchasing a drink, and return the bottle and can to redeem the deposit after drinking the drink. This system intends to promote the establishment of a collection system for beverage container materials. Emilio Braghi, executive vice president and president of Europe at Novelis, said: “Building collection and sorting systems is critical to increasing circularity and unlocking the full potential of infinitely recyclable materials. We need to develop A policy framework to incentivize true take-back and circular systems so that at the end of their life beverage containers can be recycled again and again without loss of quality. Aluminum is well suited for multiple recycling. We need a shift in thinking , treat waste as a valuable resource, and reuse existing materials to produce new packaging, thereby saving valuable natural resources, reducing energy consumption and emissions."