Brazil among world’s top aluminum can recyclers

Brazil reached the end of 2020 as one of the world’s leading recyclers of aluminum cans. In a survey by the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas), the country shows a recycling index of 97.4 percent.

Of the 402.2 thousand tons of cans sold, 391.5 thousand were recycled—some 31 billion cans. In 2019, the number of cans sold and recycled was lower. On the occasion, 375.7 thousand tons sold and 366.8 thousand tons recycled.

“The data show how solid the recycling structure of cans in Brazil is. The sector kept its operations within safe standards, contributing to the preservation of the environment and employment generation and income for thousands of families,” said Alfredo Veiga, coordinator of the Recycling Committee of the Brazilian Aluminum Association (Abal).

The sector’s performance in 2020 was satisfactory despite the pandemic, when selective collection activities were halted in a number of municipalities, along with the work of cooperatives. Recycling has become key in circular economy in both Brazil and the world, as packages can be restored endlessly.

Brazil ranks third among the world’s largest markets of aluminum cans, Abralatas reports. Inn 2020, nearly 32 billion cans were consumed in Brazil.

In November last year, Abralatas and Abal signed a term of commitment with Brazil’s Environment Ministry to expand the management of the collection and recycling of aluminum can for beverages.

In the term, the associations agree to maintain the can recycling rate at 95 percent, in compliance with the National Policy of Solid Waste—PNRS in the original.