Aluminium packaging: recycling protects the climate

Rate of recycling rises to new peak level of 86.4%

Düsseldorf, 25 January 2012 - For aluminium packaging the positive trend in recycling continues. According to a current study by GVM Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung mbH, Mainz, in the year 2010 79,300 tonnes of the 91,800 tonnes on the market were recycled. This equals a rate of recycling of 86.4%. In particular for aluminium beverage cans in the deposit system GVM estimates a rate of return of 96%. This is the highest amount in Europe.

“In Germany we have well established structures for the collection and recycling of used packaging, and there is a high degree of motivation to cooperate among the people. This way the recycling loop for aluminium packaging can be largely completed,” commented Hans-Jürgen Schmidt, Managing Director of DAVR Deutsche Aluminium Verpackung Recycling GmbH, Grevenbroich, on the recently released figures.

Every year GVM determines the level of accumulation and the recycling of packaging waste in Germany – also on behalf of The Federal Environment Agency [Umweltbundesamt]. Taken into account are the rates of recycling of the various dual systems as well as the return of used packaging by other organizations and means of collection.

“The current figures of GVM represent an important indicator for gauging the improvement of environmental characteristics. This contributes more to sustainability than raising the proportion of recycling in certain aluminium products. Completing material cycles is the right way to protect resources and save energy,” said Christian Wellner, Managing Director of GDA Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V., Düsseldorf.

By recycling aluminium it is possible to save up to 95% of the energy required for primary production, so valuable raw materials and resources can be saved. The contribution to protecting the climate is also considerable. According to calculations of DAVR, based on the rates of recycling achieved in recent years, annual savings ofgreenhouse gases amount to around 420,000 tonnes of socalled CO2 equivalents. Expenditures for collection, preparation and recycling, as well as rates of material loss are taken into consideration. This corresponds to the full savings of fuel of around 170,000 cars on Germany’s roads.

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Your contact:

Anncathrin Wener
Public Relations
Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V.
Telefon: 02 11 - 47 96 282
Telefax: 02 11 - 47 96 410
E-Mail: [email protected]

Hans-Jürgen Schmidt
General Manager
Deutsche Aluminium Verpackung Recycling GmbH
Telefon: 02181 - 66 3075
Telefax: 02181 - 66 3090
E-Mail: [email protected]