The world has long relied on the “take, make, waste” model—a linear economy that does not value finite materials or environmental health—but as newer generations become more cognizant of their carbon footprints and the race to slow climate action, there is a push toward a different model: the circular economy. Regenerative and continuous, the circular model keeps goods and materials in a constant loop, saving precious natural resources, minimizing landfill contributions and reducing carbon emissions associated with production and distribution.
Beverage cans exemplify the principles of a circular economy and represent a market-ready avenue for improving the circularity of the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry. The format offers an extremely efficient 60-day turnaround, on average, from the point of consumption to a new can on the shelf—while also remaining capable of being recycled repeatedly without losing any properties.
To further enhance the circularity of used beverage cans (UBCs), improving the collection and recycling of the containers is essential. Several strategies can help boost collection rates:
- Consumer Education and Participation: Industry events, such as Every Can Counts (ECC’s) International Recycling Tour, are vital for educating consumers and encouraging their involvement in recycling. By traveling through high-traffic areas across Europe and initiating conversation around recycling with hands-on collection and eye-catching art installations, this event directly engaged with the public to raise awareness of the circular economy.
- Collaborative Efforts: Engaging with various stakeholders along the value chain—including industry associations, peer companies, customers and raw material suppliers—can reveal recycling system areas for improvement and help align on responsibilities. Additionally, partnering with non-profits and organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations (UN) can present opportunities for collecting valuable insights and mobilizing around recycling efforts.
- Policy Advocacy: Stronger regulatory policies can incentivize consumer behavior. Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), for example, encourage individuals and companies to take an active role in the return of used beverage cans (UBCs) for recycling, ensuring they are reprocessed and reintegrated into production.
By focusing on these types of strategies, we can enhance the effectiveness of the beverage can collection and recycling processes, leveraging the format’s circular nature and contributing to a more sustainable future.