FOOD & DRINK PACKAGING & MACHINERY: Steel Appeal

RECYCLING has risen up the commercial agenda for raw material suppliers, packaging manufacturers, fillers and retailers, which has positive implications for steel as a food and drink packaging material, writes John May, manager of Corus Steel Packaging Recycling.

As we await the figures for 2005, it appears that steel packaging will have reached a major milestone – a 50% recycling rate in the UK – the EU target for metals by 2008.

Each year the UK uses nearly eight billion steel cans in a wide range of food and drink packaging. All of this steel is 100% recyclable and can be recycled time and time again without deterioration.

Steel’s magnetic qualities make it the easiest material to separate from household waste. By using more steel, food and drink companies will play a key role in helping to ensure that the packaging industry meets its 2008 steel recycling target of 54%.

Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.