Industry must help strengthen sustainable processes and policies

Miles Prosser

Aluminium cans are vital for a circular economy, offering high recyclability and reduced environmental impact. With usage surging, they can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support global sustainability goals, explains IAI Secretary General Miles Prosser.

Aluminium cans present a powerful case for advancing a sustainable and circular economy, owing to their remarkable recyclability, efficiency in waste management, economic value of scrap and potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Collectively, the aluminium industry has an opportunity to make a difference by being active and, indeed, proactive in raising awareness of aluminium’s many benefits and advocating for process and infrastructure change that will capitalise on the enduring recyclability of cans.

Aluminium's inherent properties make it an ideal material for the circular economy. It is a permanent material that can be recycled over and over again with small remelting losses and without losing quality underscoring its potential for true closed-loop recyclability.. In reality For every kilogram of aluminium sorted, almost the same quantity of recycled metal is produced, This capability positions aluminium cans as a cornerstone of sustainable packaging solutions, especially as our industry strives to increase recycling rates and reduce environmental impact.

Once collected, aluminium cans undergo an efficient recycling process, encompassing sorting, reprocessing and thermal processing. This high efficiency can be bolstered by modern deposit return systems and well-maintained kerbside collection systems, which, as an industry, we must encourage and support. Implementing more efficient deposit return systems will help enhance the quality and return rates of collected materials and minimise aluminium losses, contributing to an even more sustainable lifecycle for these cans.

Key players in the aluminium beverage can value chain should advocate for national governments to set policies aimed at achieving recycling targets of at least 80% by 2030 and approaching 100% by 2050.

Many regions are already performing well and have either an overall high can recycling rate, recycle collected cans back into cans or ideally perform well in both overall rate and can to can recycling. Brazil, for example, has an impressive 100% recovery rate for cans, while Germany, Finland and South Korea are also all on at least 95%. Thailand performs well in recycling (86%) and closed loop recycling (91% of recycled cans go back into cans. The USA,? has the highest rate in closed loop recycling. We know that only around 46% of aluminium cans consumed were recycled as feedstock material in 2019, with 93% used to make new cans. In contrast South Korea recycles 96% of their cans but only 38% of recycled cans go back into cans.38% of recycled cans go back into cans.

In Europe, the production of aluminium beverage cans generates substantial domestic economic value, with almost 90% of the added value being created within the region. While raw materials are primarily imported, recycling facilities, rolling mills and can-making plants are predominantly located in Europe, ensuring that most of the value-added processes take place domestically. This domestic production not only supports local economies but also reduces dependency on foreign resources, aligning with broader goals of economic resilience and sustainability.

Despite its advantages, the aluminium can industry faces challenges that need to be addressed to fully realise its potential in the circular economy. These include the need for widespread and efficient infrastructure for collection and sorting, to modernise outdated systems, simplify can design and develop more accurate recycling figures by eliminating contaminants.

Advocacy for regulatory support and the establishment of coalitions among aluminium producers, can manufacturers, brand owners, policymakers and recyclers will be crucial in achieving these goals. Public awareness campaigns and educational resources, such as Alucycle, can further promote proper recycling practices and highlight the environmental benefits of aluminium cans.

Aluminium cans represent a vital solution for a sustainable future within the framework of a circular economy. Their high recyclability, low environmental impact, and significant domestic economic contributions underscore their value. By addressing current challenges and seizing opportunities for improvement, the aluminium industry can play a crucial role in achieving global sustainability targets and fostering a greener, more circular economy.

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