This is a rise of 3% on the 2011 figure of 37%. The total recovery rate (comprising recycling and energy recovery) reached 69% across the EU.
Richard Hands, chief executive of Ace UK, which represents carton manufacturers Tetra Pak, Elopak and SIG Combibloc, said: “We very much welcome this latest rise in carton recycling rates across the EU, which shows things are moving in the right direction. As recently as 2009, the recycling rate was just over 30%, so to hit 40% in 2012 is very encouraging.
“As an organisation, we and the members we represent are committed to improving the opportunities for beverage carton recycling in the UK. Over 50% of local authorities now collect cartons at kerbside for recycling, and we are confident that the opening earlier this year of the UK’s only dedicated carton recycling facility, a partnership between Ace UK and Sonoco Alcore, will provide a further boost to carton recycling rates.”
Source: Ace UK
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