This is a rise of 3% on the 2012 figure and follows the 3% rise recorded the year before in 2011. The total recovery rate (comprising recycling and energy recovery) has now reached 71% across the EU.
Ace UK represents carton manufacturers Tetra Pak, Elopak and SIG Combibloc.
“This latest rise in carton recycling rates across the EU, building on the 3% rise in the previous year, really is encouraging,” said Ace UK chief executive Richard Hands.
In 2013, the UK’s first dedicated recycling facility for beverage cartons opened in Stainland, Yorkshire. The facility, a partnership between Ace UK and global paper and packaging manufacturer Sonoco Alcore, is expected to transform beverage carton recycling in the UK.
“Alongside the opening of this game-changing facility for UK beverage carton recycling, the number of UK local authorities collecting cartons at kerbside for recycling has risen to 57% from just 31% as recently as 2011,” said Hands. “And when carton recycling bring banks are included, 91% of local authorities now collect cartons for recycling. This progress marks a significant shift in providing incentives for local authorities to collect cartons, so making it easier for consumers to recycle them and providing an environmental packaging choice for manufacturers.”
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