The steel packaging industry achieved a 74% recycling rate in Europe in 2012 with 2.7 million tonnes of the material reprocessed in 2012, according to figures published by a sector trade body.
According to the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging (APEAL) figures, which were independently reviewed and confirmed by waste consultancy Eunomia, steel is the most commonly recycled packaging material in the continent.
However, the recycling rate remains at the same level achieved in 2011 when 74% of waste steel packaging was collected despite the amount collected rising from 2.6 million tonnes.
The group claims that in comparison Europe recycles on average 35% of its plastics, 68% of aluminium and 70% of glass materials.
The organisation added that the figure was aided by the fact that steel packaging can be simple to recycle due to the magnetic nature of the material, making it easily extractable during the sorting process.
APEAL also claimed that a tonne of recycled steel saves over one and a half times its weight in carbon emissions, over twice its weight in raw materials and uses 70% less energy than producing steel from virgin sources.
Commenting on the statistics, Alexander Mohr, secretary general of APEAL, said: These figures evidence a continued dedication to the recycling of steel packaging and just how big an impact it can have in driving up rates.
‘While steel maintains its position as the most recycled packaging material in Europe, it is clear there is still some work to be done in order for the industry to hit its vision of 80% recycling rate by 2020.’
– Alexander Mohr, secretary general of APEAL
While steel maintains its position as the most recycled packaging material in Europe, it is clear there is still some work to be done in order for the industry to hit its vision of 80% recycling rate by 2020. APEAL has no doubt that these targets will be achieved especially when you consider that the top five recycling countries in Europe already have an average steel recycling rate of 90%.
PRNs
However, in the UK uncertainty continues to surround the price of steel PRNs after packaging data released last month revealed that just 78,861 tonnes of steel had been reprocessed in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 108,604 tonnes for the same period during the previous year (see letsrecycle.com story).
As a result, PRNs for the material are currently trading at around 15 per tonne and some buyers are concerned that this grey area will see prices continue to rise in the coming months. The drop in tonnage has been blamed by some on a reduction in export container availability, making it harder to send material abroad.
However, one PRN trader told letsrecycle.com: This is more to do with the domestic market a couple of large companies have not been buying the material as they look to run down their own stockpiles in order to provide shareholders with a positive report at the end of the financial year.
These material markets are very sensitive to PRN value. Buyers can get concerned but I think the returns will improve.
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