Recycling of beverage cartons increased by 3% to 40% in the European Union in 2012 compared to 2011, according to the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE).
The total recovery rate including recycling and energy recovery in the region was recorded to be 69% during the year.
The recycling rate for the beverage cartons across Europe reached 39% in 2012, with the total recovery reaching 70%.
ACE director general Katarina Molin said after 20 years of tracking recycling rates in Europe, the industry is happy with the progress made.
"A lot has been already achieved, but more progress can be made in supporting the recycling of beverage cartons by ensuring an appropriate EU regulatory framework is in place," Molin added.
About 6,000t of post-consumer beverage cartons were recycled In 1992 which increased to about 380,000t in 2012.
"Increasing beverage carton recycling across Europe is fully in line with the Commission's vision to move towards a recycling economy as laid down in the EU Roadmap for a Resource Efficient Europe."
Beverage cartons are made using an average of 75% paper board, 21% polymers and 4% aluminum, while the paper fibers from post-consumer beverage cartons are high quality and see that recycled paper maintains its properties.
Image: Graphical representation of beverage carton recycling during 1992-2012. Photo: Courtesy of ACE.
