Resource Efficiency
Global resources are limited, yet society’s needs are growing.
Resource efficiency is a top priority for the European Union, governments around Europe, and all metal packaging manufacturers. It helps protect our environment, keep costs and prices under control, and ensure sufficient resources – including energy – to support all our needs.
High Recycling Rates and Circularity.
- The metal packaging industry in Europe benefits from the fact that metal recycles forever without loss of quality. Steel and aluminium can be melted down and reused repeatedly, which contributes to a circular economy.
- The metal packaging industry achieves impressive recycling rates which is key to reducing the need for virgin materials, and recycled metal from packaging is used to create new products, further closing the loop and reducing environmental impact.
Design for Recycling.
- To ensure efficient recycling, the industry focuses on designing packaging with end-of-life considerations in mind. This includes making packaging easier to collect, sort, and recycle.
Lightweighting and Material Optimisation.
- The industry has made significant strides in lightweighting its products, reducing the weight of cans and containers without compromising on their strength or safety. This process helps to reduce material use, which in turn lowers the energy demand during production and reduces emissions during transport.
Use of Recycled Metal.
- Another key approach to resource efficiency is the incorporation of post-consumer recycled (PCR) metal into new packaging. This practice reduces the carbon footprint compared to using virgin materials, as the energy needed to produce metal from recycled sources is far lower.
- By increasing the amount of recycled metal in new products, manufacturers help to create a more sustainable production cycle, minimising the need for additional raw materials and reducing environmental impact.
Efficient Manufacturing Processes.
- In terms of manufacturing, the European metal packaging industry has embraced energy-efficient technologies to reduce resource consumption. Innovations such as regenerative burners and heat recovery systems allow factories to optimise energy use during production.
- In addition, many companies have implemented measures to reduce water use and minimise waste at their facilities. These efforts not only help reduce the environmental impact of production but also contribute to cost savings for manufacturers.