EUROPEAN STEEL RECYCLING RATE TOPS 60% in 2004

More than 2.2 million tons of post-consumer steel packaging was recycled last year, representing a recycling rate of 60% in the enlarged European Union, and an estimated 62.5% in the EU15 (up from 61% in 2003).

That’s according to the Association of European Producers of Steel Packaging (APEAL).

APEAL attributes the results to the adaptability of steel to a wide range of collection systems, from mixed household waste to multimaterial door-to-door systems. These systems collect beverage packaging, household steel containers such as food cans and aerosols, “whereas deposit systems are restricted to beverage containers,” says APEAL. The organization says, “In the run up to 2008, the recyclability of steel will continue to play a key role in helping European countries to meet their recycling targets, which have placed a greater onus on packaging companies to identify and use materials that offer a high recycling performance.” For more information, visit www.apeal.org.

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