The recycling of beverage cartons in Europe has reached 42% in 2013, according to new data provided by the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE).
Compared to 2012, it represents a 3% rise, while the total recovery rate, including recycling and energy recovery has reached to 71% during the same year, noted ACE.
At present, around 20 paper mills recycle beverage cartons in Europe, and further investments are also made in new recycling technologies.
ACE director general Katarina Molin said the company has observed a continued upward trend in beverage carton recycling in Europe, but there are still wide differences as regards recycling achievements across EU member states.
"While some Member States have reached impressive recycling figures above 60%, several Member States still lag behind in the development of collection infrastructure and separate collection of consumer packaging, which also affects the recycling rate of beverage cartons," Molin added.
ACE further noted that EU regulatory support and a clear legal requirement to collect beverage cartons for recycling are required for continued growth even in the future.
In order to find solutions that help increase beverage carton recycling, ACE said it will continue to contribute to the development of the circular economy package.
ACE provides an European platform for beverage carton manufacturers and their paperboard suppliers to benchmark and profile cartons as renewable, recyclable and low-carbon packaging solutions. Its members include beverage carton producers Tetra Pak, SIG Combibloc and Elopak.
