The latest reports indicate that the U.S. recycling rate for
aluminum beverage cans reached 65.1% last year. The Aluminum Association, Can
Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and Institute of Scrap Recycling (ISR) stated that 61 billion cans were recycled in
2011, a 7% increase from 2010’a 58.1%.
Statistics indicate that this rate is more than double that of other
beverage containers, driven by a 25% increase in imports.
There has also been a rise in demand for recycled aluminum
and used beverage containers (UBCs), due to the infinite recyclability of
aluminum cans and due to the fact that can-to-can closed loop process happens
in 60 days.
The Aluminum Association’s Can Committee, which is made up
of Alcoa, Tri-Arros Aluminum and Golden Aluminum say the target of the industry
is a 75% recycle rate by 2012.