Brazil remains world’s top aluminium can recycler

Brazil – In 2012, Brazil recycled more than 267 000 tonnes of aluminium beverage cans to maintain its status as the ‘world’s leader’ in this field, according to the Brazilian Association of Highly-recyclable Can Manufacturers (ABAL). A total of 19.8 billion aluminium cans were recycled for a recycling rate of close to 98%.

The rate in 2012 was slightly below the record established in 2011 as the number of cans sold increased by 7.8% and can pick-up climbed 7.4%.

According to the coordinator for ABAL’s Recycling Committee, Carlos Roberto Morais, recycling companies have continually invested in pick-up points, capacity and processing efficiency, and thus they are equipped to handle the growing availability of scrap.

‘The recycling chain has the advantage of being well-organised to capture and process rising volumes of discarded cans, thus ensuring that these are not one-time results, but long-lasting results.’