Brazil Hits Record Aluminum Recycling Levels

The Brazilian Aluminum Association said the country set a record in voluntary recycling in 2001 by reusing 85 percent of the aluminum cans on the Brazilian market.

"The idea of recycling has changed drastically over the last decade in Brazil," Jose Roberto Giosa, coordinator of ABAL s recycling commission said in a news conference. Traditionally recycling has been an activity performed only by Brazil’s poor as a means to eke out a living in Latin America s largest economy of 170 million people. But in recent years, other sectors of the economy have begun to see value in the shiny metal.

"In 1992, 90 percent of the country s can recycling was carried out by poor independent trash pickers. Now retirees, mayors, bus drivers, schools, hotels and clubs are cashing in on recycling," he said. Brazil recycled 119.5 million metric tons of aluminum in 2001, a 16 percent rise in volume from the 102.8 million recycled in 2000.

Japan held the 2000 world record for voluntary recycling after the East Asian nation reused 81 percent of its cans in circulation. It should announce 2001 figures in June, but given its slow annual growth in recycling, it is not expected to surpass Brazil, said Giosa.