Aluminum cans are the most recycled and highest value beverage container on the market today, Aluminum Association and Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) reports. The aluminum can has the highest recycling rate of any beverage container and contains 70 percent recycled content on average – more than three times the recycled content of glass or plastic (PET) bottles. The study also found that aluminum can recycled material is worth nearly 300 percent more per ton than plastic or glass. The report is available at www.aluminum.org/CanAdvantage.
The aluminum industry recycling rate for cans 2014, which measures all cans recycled (including imports) by the industry as a percentage of U.S. shipments, was 66.5 percent in 2014, reflecting nearly 60 million cans recycled. The consumer recycling rate for cans in 2014, which measures domestic consumer recycling behavior, was up nearly 2 points to 56.7 percent in 2014, more than 20-points higher than consumer recycling rates for glass and plastic (PET) bottles. Aluminum can scrap is worth $1,491 per ton versus $385 per ton for plastic (PET) and $0 per ton for glass. The high value of material helps make municipal recycling programs financially viable.
“This new report confirms that aluminum cans are recycled by U.S. consumers at rates more than 20 points higher than that of other beverage containers, making them the sustainable package of choice,” said Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association. “Cans are recycled at the highest rates, and drive recycling programs across the country because of the high value of aluminum compared to other packaging materials.”
The report is being released in the lead-up to Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial launch of summer –as consumers appreciate the lightweight, unbreakable and portability of canned beverages as they travel to beaches, outdoor concerts and sporting events.
“The continued success of aluminum can recycling is a testament to our industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Robert Budway, President of the Can Manufacturers Institute. “Americans know when they are tasting a refreshing canned beverage that they are purchasing America’s most recycled beverage package.”
