Europe – Some 2.6 million tonnes of steel packaging was recycled into new steel products in 2011 for an average recycling rate of 74%, according to data released by the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging (APEAL).
‘Steel remains the most recycled packaging material in Europe,’ observes APEAL. According to the association, the threefold increase in packaging steel recycling over the last 20 years can be attributed to ‘steel’s infinite recyclability, the ease with which magnetic steel can be recovered and recycled, and an improved understanding of the resource and emissions savings to be gained’.
Noting that steel recycling uses 70% less energy than the primary route, APEAL reckons households across Europe saved the equivalent of almost half of Belgium’s annual electricity consumption during 2011.
Commenting on APEAL’s figures, Member of the European Parliament Dr Filip Kaczmarek says: ‘This is an excellent example of how each and every one of us can make a big difference in our fight against climate change and towards greater resource efficiency.’
The data were reviewed independently by UK-based energy and waste specialist consultancy Eunomia.
For more information, visit: www.apeal.org
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