Beverage carton recycling rates reach 43% in Europe

Dec 16, 2015

European beverage cartons recycling rates reached 43% in 2014, according to ACE.

Around 420.000 tonnes of beverage cartons were recycled in paper mills in 2014, which represents a continuing upward trend in recycling performance over the last two decades.

Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain recycle 70% or more of all beverage cartons put on the market.

Bertil Heerink, director general of ACE, said the beverage carton industry is continuously working to increase recycling levels in Europe.

“We are firmly committed to contribute to the objectives of the European Commission Circular Economy Package. However, the legal proposals need to look ahead to 2030 and recognise the changing market demands and foster innovation in packaging solutions, materials and recycling techniques.

“To grow recycling, EU waste legislation needs to ensure effective collection and recycling of end of life products and recyclable packaging such as beverage cartons through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Further efforts are needed on banning packaging waste from landfilling to ensure valuable raw materials are not ending up in landfills or being unnecessarily incinerated.”

Source: PackagingNews