Beverage Carton Recycling in EU Reaches 40%

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The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, U.K., (ACE UK) reported this past week that 40% of beverage cartons in the EU were recycled in 2012, equivalent to approximately 380,000 metric tons of cartons. This is an increase of 3% from the 2011 figure of 37%. The total recovery rate (comprising recycling and energy recovery) reached 69% across the EU.

Richard Hands, chief executive of ACE UK, which represents carton manufacturers Tetra Pak, Elopak, and SIG Combibloc, said that "we very much welcome this latest rise in carton recycling rates across the EU, which shows things are moving in the right direction. As recently as 2009, the recycling rate was just over 30%, so to hit 40% in 2012 is very encouraging.

"As an organization, we and members we represent are committed to improving the opportunities for beverage carton recycling in the U.K. More than 50% of local authorities now collect cartons at curbside for recycling, and we are confident that the opening earlier this year of the U.K.’s only dedicated carton recycling facility, a partnership between ACE UK and Sonoco Alcore, will provide a further boost to carton recycling rates," Hands added.

Beverage cartons are easily recycled using a simple pulping process, where the paperboard and non-fiber layers are separated and turned into new materials, ACE UK explains. The wood fibers can be used to produce new high-strength paper products, such as cores and tubes for consumer and industrial applications, while the polymer and foil layers can be recycled or used for energy recovery.

ACE UK has a dedicated recycling team that offers advice and support to local authorities and community recycling networks wishing to collect cartons. An interactive map on the ACE UK website also helps residents find out where and how they can recycle beverage cartons in their area.

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