Global steel can recycling rate reaches highest recorded level
18 Mar 2009-
Brussels – the World Steel Association (worldsteel) announced today that 7.2 million metric tons (mmt) of steel cans were recycled across the 37 countries reporting in 2007. This avoided approximately 13 mmt of CO2 emissions.
The global recycling rate for steel cans was 68% in 2007, a slight increase from 67% in 2006. This is the highest level ever and is the third consecutive year that the steel can recycling rate has increased.
Amongst countries covered by the 2007 statistics, Belgium and Germany topped the league with the highest recycling rates of 93% and 91%. Of the individual countries that reported directly to worldsteel, Japan had the highest recycling rate at 85%. Europe, North America and South Africa have been particularly consistent in gathering good data and increasing recycling rates year-after-year. South Africa recorded a recycling rate of 70% in 2007, a 2% increase compared to 2006. Europe recycled 2.5 mmt of steel cans in 2007, a recycling rate of 69%. In the US 1.6 mmt of steel cans were recovered for recycling in 2007, an increase to 65% compared to 63% the previous year.
Julie Renner, Chairwoman of worldsteel’s Committee on Packaging said, “Our data shows that steel recycling is well established in almost all regions of the world. Not only is the recycling rate increasing in developed countries such as the US and Canada but it is also going up in emerging markets such as Brazil and Turkey. This is good for the environment because steel is 100% recyclable and it shows that consumers are contributing to the reduction of energy use and CO2 emissions by choosing and recycling steel packaging”.
2007 steel can recycling data
Country/Region
Recycled
(‘000 tonnes)Recycling rate 2007 (%)
Recycling rate 2006 (%)
Brazil
284
49
47
Canada
109
66
62
China
1,597
75
75
Europe *
2,560
69
66
Japan
707
85
88
South Africa
155
70
68
South Korea
101
69
73
Turkey
101
35
33
USA
1,592
65
63
Total
7,206
68
67
* Europe here includes EU 27, Norway and Switzerland.
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Notes to Editors:
- To calculate the global recycling rate, worldsteel collects data from its members. Each country uses different criteria when preparing its statistics and the reported figures may refer to differing stages of packaging production and recycling. worldsteel members produce approximately 65% of the world’s packaging.
- Food and beverage cans are the most common form of steel packaging. Other applications for steel packaging include industrial and household goods such as paint and air fresheners.
- Steel is 100% recyclable and can be recycled any number of times without loss of quality. Steel-to-steel recycling means that a steel can could become part of a bridge or a ship in its next life. Steelmaking from recycled steel requires less energy and saves precious raw materials such as iron ore for future generations’ use.
- The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 180 steel producers (including 18 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.
