Increase in Europe’s recycling of UBCs

Archiv – According to the European Aluminium Association (EAA), beverage can usage in Europe approached the 40 billion mark in 2002 with 5.6% growth in filled can deliveries compared to 2001. This increase is entirely due to the major development of markets in Central and Eastern Europe whereas the situation has remained stable in Western Europe. According to the European Aluminium Association (EAA), beverage can usage in Europe approached the 40 billion mark in 2002 with 5.6% growth in filled can deliveries compared to 2001. This increase is entirely due to the major development of markets in Central and Eastern Europe whereas the situation has remained stable in Western Europe. The global share of aluminium increased to 58.5% since cans delivered to Central and Eastern Europe are almost exclusively made of aluminium, leading to market growth of 7.9% for the aluminium can segment.
The long-term development of the beverage can demonstrates that, among the range of one-way and refillable containers, it offers a specific convenience responding to the needs of the family or of the individual whether in the home or on the move, argues EAA. Beverage cans are justified from a technical, economic and environmental point of view, offering consumers intelligent and practical solutions reflecting current lifestyles, it adds.
The used beverage can (UBC) recycling rate in Europe also increased in 2002 to 46%. A further rise is predicted for the coming years since some collection schemes are still in their early stages of development. The value of UBCs has sustained a 42% recycling rate for the U.K.’s voluntary collection system and has also ensured economic balance for deposit systems in the Nordic countries, which tend to enjoy the highest recycling rates.