European rigid metal packaging recycling hits 74,7% record

The extra recycled tonnage in 2013 equals an increase of 1,1 percentage points over
2012. In 2013 aluminium beverage cans were recycled at a rate of 71,3%. Steel
packaging was recycled at a rate of 75,2%.

As in the previous 3 years, the original data provided by the Packaging Group of
European Aluminium and APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel
for Packaging), has been reviewed by the independent consultancy Eunomia. This
makes the metal packaging industry still the only packaging industry which ensures a
third party verification of its recycling figures.

With this increase, the metal packaging sector continues to improve its recycling
rates, over and above the minimum European and national metal recycling rates, and
is well on track to reach the industry’s voluntary objective of 80% recycling of metal
packaging in Europe by 2020.

As permanent materials, aluminium and steel can be recycled over and over again
without loss of quality. Through multiple recycling, metals make a real contribution to
closing the material loop and supporting the development of the circular economy.

“The ‘metal forever’ story is a perfect example of the circular economy at work,” said
Peter Lockley, Chairman of Metal Packaging Europe. “In order to move towards a
true resource efficient Recycling Society, it is key that we make a clear distinction
between recycling which leads to the gradual degradation of the material and
recycling which keeps the material in the loop without losing its intrinsic material
characteristics.”

For further information, please contact:

info@metalpackagingeurope.com
Metal Packaging Europe aisbl
Square de Meeûs 40 – 1000 Brussels - Belgium
www.metalpackagingeurope.org
+32 2 401 68 72

About MPE
Metal Packaging Europe (MPE) is the umbrella organisation representing producers and
suppliers of rigid aluminium and steel packaging across Europe. It was created so that its
member companies, who are active in respectively APEAL (Association of European
Producers of Steel for Packaging), BCME (Beverage Can Makers Europe), European
Aluminium and Empac (European Metal Packaging), can contribute more effectively to
sustainable developments and resource efficiency, acting as a unified sector involving all
parties in the chain.