Associations uniting metal packaging manufacturers, recyclers and aluminum industry companies in Europe have announced an ambitious goal - together to achieve 2030% recycling on the continent by 100. beverage cans made of aluminum. According to the associations, currently approximately 76% of waste is recycled in European countries. of all aluminum beverage packages placed on the market.
This plan is in line with the direction of change across the European Union towards a circular economy, where used items become secondary raw materials and can be recycled into new products, thus saving energy and resources. "The united approach of business representatives and the efforts to collect all used cans and submit them for recycling illustrate the great changes that have been taking place in Europe for several years. The determination of industry representatives to get even more involved in the EU's green course supports the growing awareness of consumers - society's desire to live more sustainably and cleanly," commented Gintaras Varnas, head of the Užstatus systém administratorius (USAD).
According to G. Varnas, the deposit system operating in Lithuania and some other European countries is one of the examples of how aluminum packaging can be efficiently collected and recycled. In our country, the deposit system has been in operation for five years, and residents return more than 91 percent. of aluminum cans placed on the market.
According to the representatives of European Aluminum and Metal Packaging Europe, the signatory associations of the agreement, the collection and recycling of aluminum packaging in Europe can become an example of a circular economy, and this practice can then be applied to achieve sustainability in other industrial areas. Hundreds of representatives of European companies have pledged to be involved in the process of preparing the plan.
After the signing of the agreement, the representative of Metal Packaging Europe, Oliver Graham, emphasized that aluminum packaging is easy to sort, efficiently recycled and ensures long-term economic value, which is why it is perfect for realizing the principles of a circular economy. According to Mr. Graham, the goal is to recycle 100% of aluminum cans is real and feasible.
Andy Doran, the chairman of the European Aluminum Packaging group, was also quoted in the association's report as emphasizing that the constantly strengthening cooperation of all interested parties and a wide network of partners will help to achieve the goal. A. Doran invited manufacturers, brand owners, traders, consumer organizations and other partners to consistently work together and propose solutions on how to further improve aluminum packaging collection systems.
The initiative of the associations was welcomed by the director of the European Commission for circular economy Kęstutis Sadauskas: "The aluminum industry deserves praise for its efforts to improve the recycling of beverage packaging. However, many tasks and work remain. We aim that in general all 2030 Packaging released on the EU market would be recycled or reused. It's clear that change will require a united effort – we want all packaging to be circular economy-friendly and reduce the inefficiencies and environmental impact of current processes." According to a senior official, the European Commission recognizes the importance of aluminum for the advancement of the circular economy and lower pollution, and is therefore ready to cooperate and financially support the investment.
USAD manager G. Varnas points out that aluminum can be recycled an unlimited number of times - the quality of the metal does not deteriorate as a result. Currently, around 75% of the world is still in use. of all aluminum ever mined and produced.
By using the deposit system, our country's residents are already contributing to the goal announced by European manufacturers. Last year alone, over 243,3 million was returned in Lithuania. disposable aluminum beverage packages. From taromats and collection points, aluminum packages travel to the USAD calculation center in Vilnius, and then to the recyclers. It is estimated that a can made from recycled raw material can return to the store shelf within 60 days.
