Every Can Counts survey: Public demands more recycling bins to improve aluminum can circularity

15 Dec 2020 --- A new Every Can Counts survey has found most Europeans recycle at home (93 percent), but would do so more frequently in public spaces if national recycling infrastructure were more accessible (93 percent). 

According to the not-for-profit organization’s latest survey, 94 percent of European respondents agreed companies should use infinitely recyclable packaging, but only 55 percent were aware that aluminum is infinitely recyclable.

Director David Van Heuverswyn shares with PackagingInsights how Every Can Counts is using these survey results to advocate for better consumer understanding and national recycling infrastructure for used metal cans.

Public recycling bins, please
In cooperation with LUCID polling agency, the survey involved 13,793 participants above 16 years old in 14 countries where Every Can Counts has a local initiative: Belgium, Serbia, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Ireland, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Italy and France. 

Every Can Counts non-member countries Germany, Sweden and Denmark are excluded given the respective high national recycling rates for beverage cans and well-functioning deposit return systems. 

Respondents from countries with better established recycling systems reported a lower need for improved metal recycling.“We focus on the countries where the recycling rate is low, or with a high margin for improvement,” Van Heuverswyn explains.

More than three in four participants recycle all types of materials (drink cans, plastic, Tetra Pak or glass) often or always. Over half (57 percent) always recycle aluminum drink cans specifically. 

While the vast majority of respondents recycle, it remains a challenge to recycle outside of the home due to lacking public waste disposal infrastructure. 

Across countries, most respondents would like to see more recycling bins in the streets, beaches, beauty spots, trails, festivals or sporting events.

Enough done already?
Van Heuverswyn notes he and his team were surprised to see countries with promising recycling and waste systems report lower recycling ambitions on average. 

For example, 89 percent of Belgian respondents favored more recycling bins in streets and public spaces. This was the second-lowest rate after the Netherlands. The highest rates recorded were from Romania, Greece (both 96 percent), Hungary and Serbia (both 95 percent).

“You could read there that Belgians don’t think they can do much more from the environment when it comes to recycling,” says Van Heuverswyn.

“Czech or Romanian people, with a very low recycling rate in these countries, are much more concerned and ready to do even more because they realize their system is not optimal at all and they want to do better.”Answers to: “Do you think enough is being done to encourage recycling in your country or do you feel more needs to be done?”

“Gold in your trash”
Another issue Every Can Counts faces is getting consumers to shake the “bad rep” metal cans have – often seen as litter in public spaces – and understand the economic advantages of recycling metal cans.

“Many people across Europe still think that glass and plastics are actually better than aluminum can in terms of sustainability. The can doesn’t rank [as high] in the minds of people,” says Van Heuverswyn.

Worth more than €1,000 (US$1,200) per ton for reselling, Van Heuverswyn says aluminum beverage cans are the highest valued recycling material in the bin. 

In terms of energy rates, making a new can from used cans can spare 95 percent in energy and GHG emissions. The melting point of aluminum is 700℃, where glass is above 1200℃. 

This means heavier weights and higher fusion temperatures ultimately affect the transport and energy needed to make a new bottle.

More than just surveys needed
Large European food brands have collaborated with Every Can Counts in the past, creating a win-win situation for both. Previous collaborations include Coca-Cola, RedBull and PepsiCo.

“Brands take our key message pushing can recyclability to consumers directly and we can piggyback on their followers, which is more often much bigger than our audience.” 

In return, brands receive a “green stamp” from environmental organizations such as Every Can Counts. This is particularly crucial for the images and reputations of brands continuously called out for being the world’s worst polluters.

By Anni Schleicher