FDBusiness.com

The European trade association for stee,l Apeal (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging), has released the latest steel recycling figures.

In 2011, 2.6 million tonnes of steel packaging were recycled to make new steel products, corresponding to an average European rate of 74%.

According to Apeal, 2011 reinforces the long term trend for steel as the most recycled packaging material in Europe.

‘The last 20 years’

In a statement Apeal said: “Indeed the last 20 years have seen a threefold increase in packaging steel recycling thanks to a combination of steel’s infinite recyclability, the ease with which magnetic steel can be recovered and recycled, and an understanding of the resource and emissions savings to be gained.”

A tonne of recycled steel saves over one and a half its weight in CO₂ emissions, according to Apeal.  The trade association said that a tonne of recycled steel uses 70% less energy. In 2011 households across Europe saved the equivalent of almost half Belgium’s annual electricity consumption.

Apeal said that steel remains the most recycled packaging material in Europe. Plastic, beverage cartons, aluminium and glass demonstrate rates of 33%, 37%, 67% and 70% respectively (according to latest available data).

The methodology and data sources used for the calculation of the European steel recycling rate have been once again reviewed independently by the energy and waste specialist consultancy, Eunomia, who confirm the credibility of Apeal’s methodology and data.

“These figures show just how much of an impact we can have on reducing emissions through recycling and better use of resources” said Dr Filip Kaczmarek, Member of the European Parliament, commenting on Apeal’s 2011 recycling figures.

He added: “This is an excellent example of how each and every one of us can make a big difference in our fight against climate change and towards greater resource efficiency.”