Recyclability & Recycling
Metal packaging is lightweight but robust, stackable, versatile, and can be recycled over and over into new products.
- Unlike other packaging materials, aluminium and steel do not degrade after repeated recycling processes, meaning that recycled metal has real value and is just as good as the original virgin raw material, only less energy-intensive.
- The aluminium and steel packaging sectors aim to completely phase out landfilling of metal packaging in the coming years.
82% of steel packaging
75% of aluminium beverage cans
2023 & 2022 Recycling Rates
Metal packaging.
Metal packaging is quick and easy to sort and separate from other non-metallic waste. To date, 82% of steel packaging and 75% of aluminium beverage cans are recycled in Europe, making metal among the most recycled packaging in Europe and beyond.
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75% of all aluminium and steel ever produced is still in use
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High recycling rates for steel packaging
The metal packaging industry is constantly innovating and thus improving the best sustainable packaging solutions for everyday products.
But without you, the consumer, correctly disposing of your metal packaging, the positive story would be very different.
So, while aluminium and steel packaging have reached high recycling rates, the aim is to get those figures as close as possible to 100%.
With this objective in mind, we established the Metal Recycles Forever logo, which brands can place on their rigid metal packaging as a reminder of the importance of recycling.
Using metal to pack products makes recycling easy. It also helps to reduce waste and save energy. By choosing metal packaging, we contribute to a more sustainable future.