Cans to cash: Can Manufacturers Institute reinforces aluminum recycling with Crown and Ardagh funding

03 Nov 2020 --- The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) is making grants available in 2021 to material recovery facilities (MRF) to ensure used beverage cans are accurately sorted, sold and recycled.

The funding will support aluminum beverage can companies, including major players Crown and Ardagh, investing in aluminum can capture equipment. 

Capturing more used aluminum cans could translate into more revenue for MRFs, more recycled cans and an overall “healthier US recycling system,” says Crown.

Paying for itself
Used beverage cans are typically the most valuable commodity in the residential recycling stream, according to CMI. However, up to 25 percent of them are missorted at a typical MRF. 

CMI research from this June found an average MRF processing 50,000 tons per year in a state with a container deposit law may be missing approximately US$1.08 in gross revenue per ton – or US$54,000 in a calendar year.

Meanwhile, an average MRF in a state without a container deposit law may be missing approximately US$5.95 in gross revenue per ton – or US$297,500 in a calendar year. 

These missorted cans can be captured with the right equipment, which would “pay for itself with the additional revenue,” says CMI.CMI research flags that up to 25 percent of used beverage cans are missorted at a typical MRF. 

“Capturing these missorted cans will result in significant additional revenue for recyclers and deliver significant carbon emissions reductions from greater use of recycled aluminum,” adds CMI vice president of sustainability Scott Breen. 

Future outlook
The grant results are expected to encourage more MRFs to invest in additional aluminum can capture equipment. 

Further, Ardagh and Crown are exploring additional recycling programs that they, along with other partners, can implement to leverage additional aluminum can capture equipment in MRFs.

In recent company developments, Ardagh reported a US$43 million Q3 profit, compared to a US$29 million loss in Q3 2019. 

Following the news, the Luxembourg-based company is investing over US$1.8 billion in organic business growth projects between 2021 to 2024. Approximately 85 percent of the investment is in the global supplier’s metal can businesses, underpinned by long-term customer contracts.

In other aluminum packaging news, Crown Food Europe joined forces with French ready meals producer William Saurin to create a canned ready meal concept. 

Crown’s metal packaging plays an integral role in locking in the ingredients’ flavor and nutritional values, extending shelf life and adding convenience for consumers.

Edited by Anni Schleicher