Aluminum Can Recycling Rate Reaches Highest Mark in 11 Years

Compiled by the Waste Age staff.

The U.S. aluminum can recycling rate climbed to 58.1 percent in 2010, according to the Aluminum Association, the Can Manufacturers Institute and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. That’s the highest the rate has been in 11 years, according to the organizations. The rate was 57.4 percent and 54.2 percent in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The organizations have set a goal of increasing the aluminum can recycling rate to 75 percent by 2015.

“We are pleased that the recycling rate increased from last year — this is a boost for our industry and further evidence that the aluminum beverage can is the best environmental and sustainability packaging option,” said Steve Larkin, president of the Aluminum Association, in a press release. “Of course, we must do more at the federal, state and local levels to enact recycling policies and awareness, and this is a task we continue to pursue aggressively.”

RELATED RESOURCE:

• "Aluminum Can Recycling Rate Reaches Highest Level in More than a Decade" (press release)