RECYCLING of steel packaging has reached a record high of 82.5% in Europe, according to new research.
The figures were released by APEAL, the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging. The organisation said this rate, which represents data from 2018, confirms steel as ‘Europe’s most recycled primary packaging material’.
Alexis Van Maercke, secretary general of APEAL said, “A recycling increase of two percentage points sends a clear message to all stakeholders in the value chain that steel for packaging is a tried, tested and sustainable packaging solution, fit for a 21st century circular economy. Steel is circular by design. Magnetic properties make steel easy to collect and steel can be recycled over and over again without any loss of material quality.
“Today’s rise in recycling rates is largely the result of increased separate collection in countries such as Italy and Poland. As 100% of separately collected steel packaging is used to make new products, steel is clearly the best placed of all packaging materials to achieve the aims of the new Circular Economy Action Plan.”
