Europe

The Rio Carnival on the renowned Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue breaks the Guinness World Record for aluminium can recycling 

The Rio Carnival on the renowned Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue breaks the Guinness World Record for aluminium can recycling  1904 569 Matina Zavoudaki

Almost 10 tons of beverage cans were collected during the Rio Carnival by Every Can Counts, coordinated by Abralatas, the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers.

The samba school parade from Rio de Janeiro has just broken the Guinness World Record as the World’s biggest aluminium beverage can recycling event. Throughout the Carnival festival, which took place from February 17th to 20th and on the 25th, almost 10 tons of beverage cans were collected. The Rio Carnaval is well known worldwide as the largest and most prestigious Carnival celebration on Earth and can now be considered a reference in sustainability events on a global scale.   

Coordinated by Abralatas, the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers, our programme’s initiative in Brazil, Cada Lata Conta, set up a professional shed at the Sambadrome to collect, separate and dispose of 100% cans for recycling. Every action was carried out in partnership with the Independent League of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro (Liesa); SESC – the owner of the official title -, through the Recicla Sapucaí Project, promoted by the Sustainability Fecomércio Institute (IFeS); as well as Recicla Rio, Movimento, and Febracom, which are recycling cooperatives in Rio de Janeiro.  

100 out of the 120 recycling ambassadors involved with the initiative were not exclusively focused on collecting beverage packaging but also on performing the role of true environmental agents by raising awareness of an increasing number of revellers regarding the importance of recycling and choosing preferably aluminium cans when having fun.   

“Rio was already famous for its astonishing natural beauty, samba and Carnival. Now it enters the World Stage for its recycling legacy. We rely on the paramount work of the recycling professionals in Rio as true environmental agents once more. Being acknowledged by Guinness demonstrates that we are on the right track, showing the World that it is possible to make such a huge event sustainable”, highlights Cátilo Cândido, Executive president of Abralatas. 

Every Can Counts returns to the Rio Carnival, the most fabulous party in Brazil focusing on sustainability

Every Can Counts returns to the Rio Carnival, the most fabulous party in Brazil focusing on sustainability 1902 571 Matina Zavoudaki

For the second year in a row, our team in Brazil, Cada Lata Conta, in partnership with the recycling professionals from Rio de Janeiro, will be present at the samba school parade, raising awareness among revellers about the sustainability of aluminium drink cans and ensuring 100% recycling.

On 17-20 and 25 February, Rio de Janeiro will be even more colourful and joyful with the samba schools parade on Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue. All this atmosphere has everything to do with the most modern, innovative and sustainable packaging: the aluminium drink can. Cada Lata Conta will participate again in the most fantastic popular party worldwide.  

Abralatas, the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers, coordinates the programme in Brazil. At the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Cada Lata Conta will be at the Sambadrome to collect, separate and properly dispose of 100% cans for recycling. 

Every action is carried out in partnership with the Independent League of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro (Liesa); SESC; Pólen, a consultancy specializing in sustainability; and Recicla Rio, Movimento, and Febracom, which are recycling cooperatives in Rio de Janeiro.  

With more than 100 recycling professionals, the goal of the initiative is to surpass last year’s milestone of eight tons of cans collected and raise the awareness of an increasing number of revellers about the importance of sustainability in our choices when consuming products and the proper disposal of aluminium cans. The recycling professionals will collect, sort, store, and weigh the cans during the event. After this process, they are correctly forwarded for recycling, generating income for the recycling professionals and protecting the environment. 

“Just like last year, we will have five days of intense activities to have a sustainable Carnival at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, the home of the Rio Carnival Parades. We rely on the important work of the recycling professionals in Rio to educate the revellers and recycle 100% of the aluminium cans,” highlights Cátilo Cândido, Executive President, Abralatas. “The samba schools parade is famous worldwide for the cheerful atmosphere that will take over the Sambadrome and spread across all revellers. We now have the challenge of making the Rio Carnival the most sustainable party on the planet, just like the aluminium can,” he completed.

Recycling in Brazil

For over 15 years, Brazil has maintained an average aluminium can recycling rate of 95%, reaching a record of 98.7% and more than 30 billion recycled cans in 2021. Brazil is the third largest producer of cans globally, with factories across all Brazilian regions. This segment is prepared to expand and meet the requirements of the modern and conscious consumer who values sustainable products and packaging.

Aluminium beverage can recycling in 2020 remains high at 73% despite the impact of the new EU recycling reporting rules

Aluminium beverage can recycling in 2020 remains high at 73% despite the impact of the new EU recycling reporting rules 1904 490 Matina Zavoudaki

Aluminium beverage can recycling achieved a record level of 510,000 tonnes, saving 4,2 million tonnes CO2eq

Brussels, 14 December 2022 – The latest report by Metal Packaging Europe and European Aluminium shows that the overall recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland remained high in 2020 at 73% (72.8%). With a 3% points drop compared to 2019 and a growth of 9% cans consumed, the total amount of aluminium recycled from cans reached a record level of 510,000 tonnes, an increase of more than 20,000 tonnes since the previous year. This represents a total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions saving of 4,2 million tonnes of CO2eq (equivalent to the amount of GHG emissions produced by a European town of nearly half a million inhabitants like Toulouse or Gdansk*.)

Can manufacturers (members of Metal Packaging Europe) and their aluminium suppliers (members of European Aluminium) welcomed the new result and stressed that despite the introduction of the new EU recycling reporting rules and the spectacular growth in cans consumed, the total tonnage of recycled aluminium cans has increased. Most EU Member States now report at the point of entrance of a recycling facility, instead of the collection phase. This has resulted in a recycling drop for most packaging materials.

We are fully supportive of the new EU recycling reporting rules as these measure ‘real’ recycling and we are pleased to notice that this has resulted in only a very minor and likely only temporary drop in the can recycling rate. The aluminium beverage can already meets the highest recyclability performance grade of 95% as proposed in the new draft for a Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation’’ said Léonie Knox-Peebles, CEO of Metal Packaging Europe. As aluminium beverage cans are fully circular and can be recycled endlessly without losing the aluminium’s inherent properties, we are confident that even in a growing market we will be able to meet our 100% beverage can recycling ambition by 2030.

With more and more countries turning to Deposit Return Systems (DRS) we will be able to recycle more cans via a can-to-can remelting solution, generating maximum environmental benefits and we are calling upon those countries with classic EPR systems to invest more into the collection and sorting of the whole aluminium packaging fraction in order to fully close the material loop’’ Maarten Labberton, Director Packaging Group at European Aluminium, commented. “Although we are surprised by the unfounded high reuse targets in the new EU proposal, we welcome the obligation to collect 90% or more of metal and plastic beverage containers for recycling, preferably via DRS. A Deposit Return System should be balanced, which means that it should be run by an independent operator, have variable deposit fees and no cross subsidies between the materials concerned.’’

This map overview provides a detailed overview of aluminium beverage can recycling rates by country in 2020. Recycling rates have been calculated on the basis of the new EU reporting rules, insofar available.

2020 European aluminium beverage can recycling rates (EU27+UK, Iceland, Norway & Switzerland). Sources: EPR schemes, Deposit Return Systems (cans), EUROSTAT (aluminium / metal packaging), industry reports, PRN notes (UK)

*If a yearly GHG emission of 9,2 tonnes is assumed per EU citizen as used in the Product Environmental Footprint methodology, see Normalisation method and data for Environmental Footprints – Deliverable 2 of the AA Environmental Footprint and Material Efficiency Support for Product Policy (No. 70307/2012/ENV.C.1/635340)

Read the full report by Metal Packaging Europe & European Aluminium here

Ogni Lattina Vale Launches a Recycling Campaign in Bergamo Collecting 180.000 Drink Cans

Ogni Lattina Vale Launches a Recycling Campaign in Bergamo Collecting 180.000 Drink Cans 2000 900 Matina Zavoudaki

The non-profit organization AIDO, the Association of Organ Donors, in partnership with the CIAL Consortium and our initiative in Italy, Ogni Lattina Vale, organized the annual collection of beverage cans in Bergamo.

100 senior volunteers participated in the initiative, recycling 2.400 kg of aluminium! Their passion for the environmental protection and eagerness to recycle sends the message that together we can make a real difference and sets the perfect example for younger generations. People from all over the province answered the call and brought their empties to the collection point. Also, locals from nearby villages have been collecting aluminium cans all summer, during festivals, events and picnics, for volunteers to recycle. In total, 180.000 drink cans were collected and recycled, while the recycling revenue was offered to the non-profit organization to finance its upcoming projects.

New Infinity Room Exhibit Opens In Glasgow Science Centre

New Infinity Room Exhibit Opens In Glasgow Science Centre 1904 571 Matina Zavoudaki

Our initiative in the UK has opened the Every Can Counts Infinity Room in Glasgow Science Centre. The installation aims to teach people about the importance of recycling drink cans by illustrating the infinite recyclability of aluminium.

Those who step inside the giant drink can will find themselves in a mirrored room that creates an illusion of being surrounded by an infinite number of suspended aluminium cans. At the same time, a narrator will take them on an educational journey through aluminium can recycling and its environmental benefits.

The immersive exhibit, which is made up of 1.500 recycled cans and 25 square metres of mirrors, makes for an ideal photo opportunity and its launch coincides with Recycle Week (17th – 23rd October). The Infinity Room becomes the second installation to be displayed by our team in the UK during Recycle Week this year, after the Every Can Counts Rainbow Archway appeared in Liverpool city centre on Friday.

The exhibit in Glasgow Science Centre will be open to the public from Monday 17th October until January 8th next year.

Visitors can share their own photos and videos of the Infinity Room on social media to enter a prize draw for the chance to win tickets to experience the Newton Flight Academy at Glasgow Science Centre – which is home to Scotland’s only full-motion flight simulators. Click here for full prize draw details.

Graham Rose, creative director at Glasgow Science Centre, said: “We are always looking to develop our sustainability initiatives, whether it’s making sure there are plenty of recycling bins on site or educating the local community with our public engagement programme.

“Every Can Counts’ work around recycling awareness is important in keeping drink can recycling front of mind amongst the public, and we’re really pleased to be hosting this one-of-a kind installation to help spread the word.”

According to a recent survey completed by Every Can Counts UK, nearly two thirds (65%) of people who live in Glasgow say they’re becoming more conscious of environmental concerns and their own carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, more than three quarters (76%) of Glaswegians think that the local council could be doing more to encourage recycling locally.

Glaswegians consume an average of four drinks from aluminium cans each week, with drink cans being amongst the city’s most recycled type of packaging.

Chris Latham-Warde from Every Can Counts UK added: “Recycle Week is the perfect occasion to launch our new Infinity Room installation in partnership with Glasgow Science Centre.

“We can all help the environment by doing the right thing with recyclable packaging, such as drink cans. Our installation seeks to illustrate this in a really visual way by capturing the infinite recyclability of aluminium. We want to leave visitors inspired by the vital role they can play in keeping this cycle going and enabling aluminium to be recycled again and again, forever.”

To find out more about Glasgow Science Centre visit www.glasgowsciencecentre.org.

The Every Can Counts rainbow appears in Liverpool to mark Recycle Week

The Every Can Counts rainbow appears in Liverpool to mark Recycle Week 1904 571 Matina Zavoudaki

The Every Can Counts rainbow installation has appeared in Williamson Square in Liverpool city centre ahead of the start of Recycle Week, 17th – 23rd October.

Every Can Counts UK has partnered with Liverpool BID Company to bring the colourful archway, made from over 2.500 recycled cans, to the city centre to raise awareness around the importance of recycling and inspire more people to recycle their empty drink cans.

According to Every Can Counts UK’s research, 72% of Liverpool residents say they are becoming more conscious of the environment and their impact on it. What’s more, nearly eight in 10 (79%) already think that recycling their household waste is ”very important”.

Amongst Liverpudlians, the biggest barriers to recycling are the lack of recycling bins in public places (cited by 43% of respondents) and confusion about what packaging is and isn’t recyclable (25%).  

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts UK, said: “Our rainbow installation has toured a number of cities across the UK and we’re thrilled to now bring it to Liverpool to mark Recycle Week. The archway will be on display in Williamson Square all week and we’re looking forward to seeing all the creative and fun photos people take with it.

The message behind the installation is that we can all make a difference by recycling our empty drink cans. Our research shows that a quarter of Liverpudlians are unsure what packaging is and isn’t recyclable. The good news is that when it comes to drink cans, it’s really straightforward! Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and every recycled can could be back on a shop shelf as a brand new can in just 60 days. But this only happens when we play our part in the process and put our empty cans in the right bin. So we’re here to encourage people in Liverpool to recycle every single one of their empty cans, so that this valuable material stays in circulation.”

Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Liverpool BID Company is committed to ensuring our city is always improving and we believe that sustainability, including recycling, is a big part of that and a habit we should all be making an effort to embrace.

“We’re pleased to be working with Every Can Counts on its wonderful rainbow can sculpture and have no doubt it will add a bit of colour to the city centre, while highlighting an important message.”

Passers-by have all week, until the evening of Friday 21st, to come and snap a picture with the installation and enter a social media photo competition for the chance to win a £150 Flannels gift card. For full prize draw details visit: www.everycancounts.co.uk/liverpool

Regenerate & Recycle: Jede Dose zählt takes part in Calle Libre

Regenerate & Recycle: Jede Dose zählt takes part in Calle Libre 2560 1707 Matina Zavoudaki

For the first time, Jede Dose zählt partnered with the Calle Libre street art festival where 38 international artists from 18 countries jointly designed an area on the theme of “Regeneration”.

©Jolly Schwarz / Calle Libre

On the old Nordwestbahnhof in Vienna, where in about a year a new neighborhood will be developed, 2.500 square meters where painted with 648 liters of paint and 1.400 spray cans to address the important matter of sustainability and healthy ecosystems. With that, the festival was the perfect fit for Jede Dose zählt who participated with its first Pixelata.

 ©Jede Dose zählt / Stefan Diesner

Street art specifically, has always had a set thought process: from questioning, to criticizing, and highlighting grievances on a wide variety of socially relevant issues. Through artistic interpretation, the festival wanted to draw attention to the fact that environmental protection and ecosystem restoration should start being of relevance to all of us. It is not enough to be sustainable, now we must look at regeneration.

The visitors of the festival that was going on for a whole week were invited to join live painting sessions, workshops and guided tours. Together with concerts from local and international bands in the evenings, the festival attracted almost 20.000 people. Jede Dose zählt was not only taking part creatively, but also with a team of recycling ambassadors who informed people about can recycling and helped them understand the importance of a circular world.

The French Recycling Tour 2022 Is Completed!

The French Recycling Tour 2022 Is Completed! 1903 569 Matina Zavoudaki

After the success of the last year’s French Recycling Tour, Chaque Canette Compte took the summer campaign to the next level, traveling in Guadeloupe and taking over the most touristic sites and the biggest lakes in Paris!

By visiting more than 25 beaches, walking 260 km of shoreline, placing 79 Every Can Counts recycling bins in bars and restaurants, reaching 5.585 people and collecting 2.550 aluminium cans, our french initiative completed the first stop of the summer tour in Guadeloupe and the first-ever can recycling activation in Overseas France.

For one week, from April 15 to April 24, our French team with the support of CITEO, was roaming the most popular beaches of Guadeloupe on one mission: to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal in public spaces and collect as many drink cans as possible.

Equipped with colorful backpacks and a new generation of rolling baskets for collection, the Every Can Counts recycling ambassadors continued their journey traveling all across the biggest lakes and landmarks in Paris. There, they interacted with the locals and the visitors, spreading the message of the infinite recyclability of aluminium while helping them recycle their empties on the spot.

So far this exotic recycling tour is well received by media outlets and will keep on going above and beyond next year to encourage people in different locations to recycle every drink can and inspire them to change attitudes in order to make a real difference.

Watch the French Recycling Tour 2021 & 2022 in numbers

More than 100 kg of drink cans were collected and recycled at the Prague Pride 2022

More than 100 kg of drink cans were collected and recycled at the Prague Pride 2022 1903 570 Matina Zavoudaki

Prague’s Pride returned in full force this year and Každá plechovka se počítá joined forces with Coca-Cola to spread awareness about drink cans recycling and it was a big success since more than 100 kilos of drink cans were collected during the Prague Pride week hitting a recycling record in Czechia!

The giant metal heart, made for collecting beverage cans, was present for the whole week of Pride’s festivities at the Střelecký Island. And it was warmly welcomed by the crowd as it was filled more than 4 times during the week. Our recycling ambassadors were also on site with their backpacks to make drink can recycling even easier, while informing passers-by about sustainable lifestyle and the benefits of recycling.

The main event happened on Saturday, 13 August. Our partnership with Coca-Cola also brought on site a 6-meter-long Pixelata installation that was filled with the collected Coca-Cola aluminium cans. Many people took the chance and participated in the Pixelata filling process the whole day, while others stopped by and took pictures in front of it. Our recycling ambassadors were there to encourage visitors to pass by and take a look at the programme’s signature installation and recycle their empties. When the night came, our lighten Tic Tac Toe game got a lot of attention inspiring the players to recycle in a more fun and interactive way.

The activation was a great success as it helped the programme to get more visibility in Czechia, initiating a long-term alliance with the Coca Cola Company.

Kathe Kouti Metrai goes to Pozar Festival

Kathe Kouti Metrai goes to Pozar Festival 1904 531 Matina Zavoudaki

10 (+2) Pozar Festival in Aridaia returned bigger and better and our initiative in Greece, Kathe Kouti Metrai, joined forces with AMSTEL beer and the Youth Association of Loutraki to encourage people to recycle their empties and help keep the outdoors clean.

Our partnership with AMSTEL beer brought a 10-meter-long installation, built from giant metal letters that shaped the word #POZAR a.k.a. the name of the festival. During the three-day event, the giant bins were filled with drink cans while our ambassadors, equipped their special backpacks, were also there to make drink can recycling easier for the campers. More than 6.600 drink cans, or 88 kilos of aluminium, were collected and recycled. The proceeds of recycling will be donated to support the SOS Children’s Village in Plagiari and the Center of Creative Activities for Children with Disabilities, Iliaxtida, in Aridaia.

Our team was on a dual mission: to rock with the crowd and recycle every empty drink can contributing to more sustainable festivals. According to new survey data, environmental protection and recycling are very important issues for the vast majority of Greeks. However, most of them believe that there could be more done to address the challenges. More specifically, 94% of respondents would like to see more initiatives about the protection of the environment, while only 25% of Greeks always recycle their empties when out of home. 

Despite the challenges highlighted in our survey, the warm and passionate response that our recycling ambassadors encountered during this festival gives us the optimism and the determination to keep encouraging people to recycle their empties wherever they are. Next stop in Kathe Kouti Metrai’s summer recycling journey is the 42nd Nestorio River Party, the oldest camping festival in Greece.