Sustainable packaging: Novelis recycles a record 40 billion cans in 2009

Aluminum beverage-can recycling

In 2009, Novelis recycled more than half a million metric tons of aluminum cans through its extensive and expanding recycling operations on four continents. By utilizing recycled cans to produce the aluminum needed to make new beverage cans, the company eliminates 95 percent of the energy required to produce primary aluminum from mining and smelting.

Used beverage cans are an excellent source of aluminum because they can be recycled and returned to the store shelf as new cans in as little as 60 days. There is no limit to the number of times an aluminum container can be recycled, making it one of the most successful examples of sustainable manufacturing in the world today.

"The environmental benefits of recycling aluminum cans are tremendous," noted Philip Martens, president and chief operating officer of Novelis. "From reductions in the mining of our precious natural resources to dramatically lower energy costs and the elimination of greenhouse gases, recycling aluminum cans is a clear win-win situation for both industry and the environment."

Martens also noted that the United States is the world's largest consumer of beverages packaged in aluminum cans, yet Americans recycle barely half of these cans - a lower recycling rate than many other developed countries.

"I believe that U.S. consumers can do much more to realize the full economic and sustainability benefits achieved through the simple process of choosing to recycle beverage cans," said Martens. "Each can tossed into the recycling bin instead of the trash bin saves enough energy to power the average TV set for three hours. When you think about it, what better way is there for an individual to help save the environment while at the same time contribute to our nation's energy independence?"

SOURCE: Novelis

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