Study identifies 20 levers to contribute to a
savings of 60 million metric tons of CO2
TAMPA,
Fla., Sept. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
Improvements to beverage can recycling practices in six countries
around the world could help to reduce global CO2 emissions by up to
60 million metric tons by 2030, according to a new study
commissioned by Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown)
(www.crowncork.com) and the International Aluminium Institute
(IAI). Conducted by third-party global management consultants
Roland Berger, the new report
establishes 20 short- and long-term levers to bolster recycling
systems and increase beverage can recycling rates in several
countries, four of which include Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and the UAE—key markets where Crown
maintains operations.
These advancements are critical to keeping up with growing
global beverage can consumption, which is set to increase by 50
percent between 2020 and 2030 and will likely increase the amount
of used beverage cans (UBCs) by around three million metric tons
each year in the same time period. Stronger global recycling
systems can help ensure that additional volume of aluminum
maintains a circular life cycle rather than be misdirected to
landfill—an important measure for not only keeping valuable
materials in a closed loop and preserving natural resources, but
also for reducing the energy consumption and emissions levels
associated with production from raw materials. This potential for a
smaller carbon footprint for the beverage can would boost the
format's existing sustainability attributes of infinite
recyclability, high recycled content and fast recycling turnaround
time.
"The carbon reduction potential of recycling cannot be
underestimated; recycling has a huge role to play in
the overall decarbonization of the aluminum industry, because
recycling currently emits 0.6 metric tons of CO2e per metric ton
compared to 16.6 metric tons of CO2e per metric ton for primary
aluminum," said Marlen Bertram,
Director of Scenarios and Forecasts at IAI. "This report highlights
key improvement levers for increasing those recycling
rates–including improved awareness about the benefits of aluminum
can recycling, investment in infrastructure and better waste
streams."
Drawing from assessments of waste management and regulatory
schemes, collection infrastructure, recycling and landfill rates,
volumes on market, UBC trade, material flows and future targets,
the report zeroed in on several missed opportunities in the current
recycling systems of each country. For some areas, these include
bridging the gap between UBC collection and complete can-to-can
recycling, as well as understanding why some cans are lost to
landfill even when the region maintains a more successful recycling
system. For others, challenges lie in a lack of initial recycling
access points or, on the other end, a lack of infrastructure for
waste trading and traceability.
The report details these potential areas of improvement and
offers strategies for advancing progress in each country. Using
this evaluation, Crown and IAI will work together with local
partners in the UAE and in Asia
Pacific that can help drive awareness and investment on
regional levels. The collective action will help to not only aid
targets of higher recycling rates around the world, but will also
help to support evolving regulatory standards, address consumer and
beverage brand demands and move the industry toward a more circular
model. Key to this progress will be support for and implementation
of specific legislative policies that establish guidelines and
parameters for each region.
"The superior recyclability of aluminum beverage cans continues
to inspire us to raise awareness and build infrastructure for a
stronger recovery rate across the globe," said Sandrine
Duquerroy-Delesalle, Director, Sustainability & External
Affairs at Crown. "Through conducting this new study with the
International Aluminium Association and Roland Berger, we have identified effective
levers in four key markets for Crown that all actors within the
aluminum supply chain can and should take responsibility to action.
To utilize these avenues and advance progress, we are hopeful the
governments in each of these regions will recognize the critical
role they play in establishing proper policy frameworks. It is
imperative we have legislative support to reach our goals to reduce
our carbon footprint through higher usage of recycled aluminum,
both in the immediate time frame and long-term."
As an upcoming next step, Crown will present the report findings
at Asia CanTech 2023 to initiate discussions on recycling system
strategies with supply chain partners and to action the levers
identified in the study. Crown will also continue to focus on these
efforts as part of its larger Twentyby30™
sustainability program, which aims to achieve 20 measurable goals
by or before 2030.
Detailed information from the study can be found in the
Aluminium Can Recycling in United Arabic Emirates and
Asia Pacific: A Review Of Waste
Management Maturity In Six Countries fact sheet at
https://international-aluminium.org/resource/aluminium-beverage-can-recycling-in-united-arab-emirates-and-asia-pacific/.
To learn more about Crown's global recycling initiatives and
Twentyby30™ sustainability program,
visit crowncork.com/sustainability.
About Crown Holdings, Inc.
Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading
global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing
companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products,
equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World
headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida. For more information,
visit www.crowncork.com.
For editorial inquiries: Emily Hogan, Senior Account
Executive, FINN Partners; Tel: (630) 248-5232;
Email: emily.hogan@finnpartners.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, all other information in this
press release consists of forward-looking statements within the
meaning of federal securities law. These forward-looking statements
involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause actual results to be materially different from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important
factors that could cause the statements made in this release or the
actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company
to differ are discussed under the caption "Forward Looking
Statements" in the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 2022 and in
subsequent filings. The Company does not intend to review or revise
any particular forward-looking statement in light of future
events.
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SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.