Europe’s steel packaging recycling rate nearing 80 percent

Brussels-based APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) has reported a steel packaging recycling rate in Europe of 79.5 percent in 2016, which it says “is well on track to reach the industry’s self-imposed target of 80 percent by 2020.”

APEAL refers to the 2016 recycling rate as an “all-time high,” and says it represents an increase of 2 percentage points compared to 2015 data.

“Being so close to our 2020 industry target is a great achievement,” says Alexis Van Maercke, secretary general of APEAL. “It shows that a truly circular economy which reduces waste, saves resources and closes the material loop is well within reach of the EU.”

He continues, “With the new Circular Economy Package the EU has adopted higher recycling targets for all members states. APEAL will continue to drive the sharing of good practices for higher recycling, as well as to increase awareness of sustainable packaging choices and inform environmental policy.”

APEAL indicates news of the 2016 rate follows the launch of a new report from the group called “Good Practices on Separate collection, Sorting and Recycling of Steel for Packaging,” which was released at a recent conference in Brussels.

The report, compiled using examples from throughout the EU, has been designed to showcase various projects, systems and processes through which steel packaging is recycled in Europe.