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Global Initiative for Aluminum Can Recycling: A Path to Sustainability
2025-03-14
The plan also highlights recycling initiatives in countries such as the UK, South Korea, Japan, or Spain, where key stakeholders, such as brand owners, retail, and governments, will continue to support the implementation of a collateralized return system (DRS) to further increase recycling vThe Global Initiative for Aluminum Can Recycling highlights the economic attractiveness of investing in aluminum can recycling, expanding deposit return systems, and reducing landfills, all of which are critical to increasing aluminum can recycling rates.
The Global Beverage Recycling Coalition recently launched its Global Initiative Program during Climate Week in New York. The Alliance was formed following the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference last year.
Country-Specific Strategies to Boost Aluminum Can Recycling Rates
The plan, which was developed by Roland Berger, takes into account the actions, investments, and policies of 140 countries in aluminum can recycling based on their available capacities, waste management systems, and socio-economic factors. Colombia, Uganda, and Vietnam, for example, could achieve 90% recycling rates and near 100% can-to-can utilization within 3 to 10 years by investing in their informal recycling sectors.
The Role of Deposit Return Systems in Enhancing Recycling Efforts
The plan further emphasizes the broader global impact of recycling aluminum cans. For example, recycling aluminum can currently going into landfills in the United States could offset 18% of the country's aluminum imports. Florida, the second-largest city in the U.S. after Texas, currently has 79% of its aluminum cans going into landfills. In Vietnam, instead of being recycled on a can-to-can basis, 46% of aluminum cans are currently being remelted into ingots for re-export. And the UAE's voluntary deposit return system shows a positive net amount in several cases.
Collaborative Efforts and Investments in Global Recycling Infrastructure
Other measures of the Coalition's strategy include: promoting the development and implementation of internationally influential recycling strategy efforts; supporting businesses in identifying opportunities for investment in recycling infrastructure; promoting better data collection, recycling targeting, and the implementation of smart strategies; and providing global support to countries considering the introduction of a collateralized rebate system, the expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), or other recycling policies.
The Coalition, supported by the Aluminum Association of America (AAA), the Can Makers Association (CMA), and the International Aluminum Association (IAA), is hosting an international strategy workshop during Climate Week in New York City to discuss strategies and pathways to achieve nearly 100 percent recycling of aluminum cans by 2050. Each Alliance member company has committed to announcing at least one investment project during COP30, the 2025 World Climate Conference, to help achieve the global recycling goal.
Vision for 2050: Achieving Near 100% Aluminum Can Recycling
Formed during last year's COP28 climate conference, the coalition calls on governments to commit to appropriate policies to achieve at least 80% recycling of aluminum can by 2030 and close to 100% by 2050. Marlen Bertram, Director of Scenarios and Forecasting at the IAI, noted, “This initiative marks a key step forward.
Our goal is to accelerate progress by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to drive significant change in global recycling practices.” Scott Breen, senior vice president of sustainability at the Can Makers Association, said, “Our discussions at Climate Week New York demonstrated the power of collaboration across the aluminum can value chain. By coordinating our efforts, voices, and resources, the can-making industry will achieve higher recycling rates and create a more sustainable future.”
Economic and Environmental Benefits of Aluminum Can Recycling
Matt Meenan, vice president of the Aluminum Association of America, said, “Twelve aluminum cans per person in the U.S. go into landfills each year, which equates to about $1 billion thrown away. Recycling these aluminum cans saves a considerable amount of energy, which could power 2 million homes for a year. This current state of aluminum can recycling is unacceptable, and it's time to start thinking outside the box about new ways to recycle this important material.”
Heidi Schütt Larsen, Executive Vice President of Dansk Retursystem, said, “Deposit return systems are generally recognized as an effective method for a circular economy for beverage packaging in the EU, and Dansk Retursystem ensures that UBC is recycled through the 'Can-Can Recycling' to achieve full recycling at no cost to producers and importers.” 93% of end-of-life aluminum cans (UBCs) are returned by Danish consumers and 99% are recycled through can-to-can recycling, which benefits the climate and the environment.”
Recyclability as a Key Driver for Sustainability in the Aluminum Can Industry
Ramon Arratia, Ball's Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “Recyclability is the most powerful and cost-effective lever in the aluminum can industry. Its value proposition extends beyond climate impacts to support resource efficiency and ensure a secure supply of critical materials.
Recent research from the 50 States Recycling Report shows that when Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Systems (DRS) are implemented together, they produce the highest recycling rates, maximize recycling and provide the best social, environmental and economic outcomes.” Piere Lebat, Chief Sustainability Officer at Noblis, said, “Recyclability is a key driver for decarbonizing the aluminum beverage packaging value chain. I am excited to accelerate the collaboration started at COP28 to improve can-to-can recycling in more regions.”
Japan’s Success Story and Global Strategies for Aluminum Recycling
Midori Narita, Group Managing Director and Head of Sustainability at UACJ, said: “We are honored to share a success story from Japan at the Climate Week event ‘Driving Aluminum Towards Full Recycling After Implementation’. Recycling aluminum is the key to achieving perfect sustainability in the aluminum can industry. We consider the importance of recycling aluminum from three key points. The first is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The second point is the recycling of mined mineral resources. The last point is the preservation of natural capital. We believe that aluminum cans are the best product for the Section to achieve these three goals. uACJ prioritizes grade-preserving recycling, including can-to-can, to achieve a society with unlimited use of aluminum.”
Dragos Popa, Executive Director of Roland Berger, says: “The goal of reaching a global recycling rate of 80% for aluminum cans in the next ten years is ambitious, and it is achievable if manufacturers can push for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Systems (DRS). It is also important to support the informal sector and immature systems to increase recycling, as well as to stimulate public awareness of collection and recycling through the implementation of impactful flagship public service programs, such as at large outdoor event sites in major cities, in large entertainment areas, and at beaches.”
Global Collaboration and Policy Improvements for a Circular Future
Salman Abdulla, Executive Vice President, ESG and Sustainability, Emirates Global Aluminum, said, “Aluminum is an important material for a more sustainable society. How aluminum is sustainably manufactured is also important. Recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than making new aluminum, but too much of this valuable metal is still thrown away. This has to change.” Wiebke Weiler, Sustainability Manager at Kennelian Aluminum, said, “Aluminum cans are the most recyclable beverage containers in the world, but to unlock their full recycling potential, we need strong and ambitious recycling policies.
We are proud to be part of this initiative and are committed to strengthening recycling practices globally to drive a more sustainable and circular future.” Yasushi Nuto, Executive Director of the Japan Aluminum Association, said, “We are honored to participate in this event, which is important for increasing the recyclability of valuable aluminum resources and highlighting the role of aluminum in our society as one of the most sustainable materials.”
Conclusion
The Global Initiative for Aluminum Can Recycling represents a transformative step toward a more sustainable and circular economy. By investing in recycling infrastructure, expanding deposit return systems, and reducing landfill waste, this initiative not only enhances aluminum can recycling rates but also delivers significant economic and environmental benefits. From Colombia to Japan, countries are demonstrating that ambitious recycling targets are achievable through collaboration, innovation, and policy support.