Aluminium cans: a model of sustainability between global diffusion and recycling efficiency. Italy among the leading countries.

RECYCLING IN EUROPA

According by European Aluminium – an association that brings together over 100 members including producers, transformers, recyclers and national associations, with 600 plants in 30 European countries – the aluminium can remains among the most used beverage containers globally.

In Europe, 50 billion are consumed every year, mainly for water, soft drinks and beer.

The widespread diffusion of the aluminium can is linked to the combination of multiple advantages: long shelf life of the contents, lightness, ease of stacking, impact resistance, ability to maintain the temperature, ease of recognition for separate waste collection and reduced loss of quality of the material during recycling.

Furthermore, the reuse cycle is extremely fast, requiring only 60 days to return to the market as a new can. These characteristics represent a strong environmental value, difficult to match with other beverage containers.

With the imminent implementation of PPWR, the aluminium can plays a crucial role in reaching the EU’s recycling targets for 2025 and 2030.

RECYCLING IN ITALIA 

Italy stands out among the leading countries in the recycling of aluminium packaging, reaching a rate close to 75%.

According to CIAL, the National Aluminium Packaging Consortium, there are no obstacles to exceeding the 90% recycling rate, a goal that the can sector in Italy has already almost reached. This result is attributed to the education of citizens, supported by close collaboration between various protagonists: aluminium producers, branded companies, distribution, catering, municipal services, citizens and students. A synergy that makes recycling a collective objective.