A December issue of Daily News, entitled, “Two-thirds of 215 billion US bottles are not recycled,” reveals the beverage container wasting rate has grown from 5% since 2000 to 66%. It is unmistakable that recycling beverage containers is good for the environment and saves energy. The “Beverage Market Data Analysis” (BMDA) was released by The Container Recycling Institute, giving an inclusive glance at beverage sales, and beverage container recycling and wasting in all fifty states and the U.S. as a whole. CRI’s analysis began in 2000, since then the U.S. has seen considerable development in beverage container packaging largely as a result of the swift growth of the plastic container, while beverage container recycling rates are idle.
“U.S. beverage container recycling rate of 34% is unacceptable. The aluminum can industry recently announced a 75% recycling goal while the glass container industry announced a 50% goal. There is a huge opportunity to significantly increase beverage container recycling rates and use this recycled material to make new beverage containers,” said Scott Trundle, Board Chairman of CRI. Betty McLaughlin, Executive Director of CRI comments, “As corporate and legislative leaders look to address energy and climate change, all industrial systems are being examined and evaluated for their energy use and carbon footprint. Using recycled materials in place of virgin materials conserves energy and reduces air emissions. Avoiding energy use is like finding new clean fuel sources.”
“While some states and communities are doing a good job at recycling beverage containers, CRI’s report reveals that there are large quantities of valuable containers that are not yet being recovered in the United States. Processors and end users are embracing collection systems that increase the recovery and preserve the quality of these valuable containers so we can maximize reuse,” said Tex Corley, President of Strategic Materials, the country’s largest recycled glass processor and CRI’s incoming board Chairman.
Founded in 1991, the Container Recycling Institute is a nonprofit research and public education organization studying alternatives for reducing container and packaging waste. CRI compiles data on generation, recovery and disposal of beverage containers, researches container and packaging reuse and recycling options, and serves as the clearinghouse for information on beverage container deposit systems. CRI compiles the Beverage Market Data Analysis to show industry leaders, recycling professionals and advocates, and elected officials the extent of recycling opportunities associated with used glass, plastic and aluminum beverage containers. The BMDA calculates nationwide and state-by-state figures for energy savings and tons of greenhouse gas emissions that could be avoided by recycling these containers, as well as, tracking U.S. sales of carbonated beverages; non-carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages, and wine and spirits. Further information from the BMDA for the U.S. and the summary of conclusions can be obtained free of charge by contacting the Container Recycling Institute at recycle@container-recycling.org.
