News

Continued growth of beverage carton recycling in 2009

Brussels, 16 July 2010 - Beverage carton recycling continued its long term growth trend in 2009, achieving an average 34% recycling rate in Europe, according to latest industry-wide figures. This represents some 340.000 tonnes, or over 12 billion used beverage cartons recycled in paper mills.

“We have increased the recycling rate in 2009 from 33% in 2008 despite the depressed economic environment”, says Christian Verschueren, ACE Director General. “We have managed to stay on course with our objective, to continuously increase recycling of cartons across Europe”.

“Several countries including Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Norway recycle 50% or more of all beverage cartons put on the market” he points out. “Continued progress was also made in Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and the UK, although starting from a lower base”.

Beverage cartons are recyclable and the industry is committed to improvement in this key area of sustainability. Recycling beverage cartons lengthens the life of the materials contained therein, whilst also reducing their environmental impact and increasing the efficient use of our natural resources.

ENDS

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