The company said that the savings made in waste collection and disposal costs and the 60 per tonne income from the sale of cans to Corus' CanRoute centres mean that councils can offset “at least 115 per tonne” of the recycling costs, thereby recycling “at zero cost”.
Corus Steel Packaging Recycling manager John May claimed: “In fact, the amount is greater than this since waste disposal costs have risen sharply since the 2002 data used here. Thus, if the total amount is now 120 per tonne, this will offset average kerbside collection costs, and recycling is achieved at zero cost.”
Corus estimated that nationwide, 130 million is spent by local authorities in disposing of steel cans that are not recycled, but that the “system value” of steel cans in the UK “amounts to over 150 million per annum”. This system value figure includes cost savings and recycling income received.
Bigger picture
“Clearly there are local variations,” Mr May said. “But it is important to see the bigger picture and not underestimate the opportunities recycling presents.”
In 2003, the UK recycled 42.1% of the steel cans that were reported in the waste stream by producers under the UK packaging waste producer responsibility regulations. By the end of 2004, this rate must increase to 52.5%, and the UK must recycle 61.5% of obligated steel packaging waste by 2008.
While local authorities have no obligation under the packaging regulations to collect steel cans, most of the steel packaging waste arises as household waste in the UK and for the nation to meet its targets under the regulations, council collections must increase.
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