Aluminium can recycling increases amid pandemic

aluminium can recycling

Aluminium can recycling has increased over the last year amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to data by Republic Services.

Significant increases in recycling rates of beverage cans as well as cardboard boxes, plastic and glass bottles have been seen over the last 12 months as consumer behaviour shifted to more at-home consumption.

“The pandemic’s effects were clearly seen in home recycling bins,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability. 

“We know that Americans are willing to recycle and are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment, so it’s vital that we continue to help consumers understand what can and cannot be recycled this Earth Day and beyond.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, online shopping has risen to new heights – and those cardboard boxes have shown up in recycling bins, with a 63% increase in residential cardboard in some markets. 

Households have been consuming more food and beverages at home, resulting in significant increases in recycled aluminium (17%), glass (13%) and plastic bottles (7%).

Republic Services processed 20% more food and yard waste in 2020 and recycled this organic material into more than half a million tons of nutrient-rich compost.

For more information about how consumers can bring Earth Day into their everyday, visit RepublicServices.com/earthday.

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