Aluminium beverage can recycling across Europe has reached a new record, with 76.3% of cans recycled in 2023 across the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, according to the latest joint report from Metal Packaging Europe (MPE) and European Aluminium (EA).

The data shows both volumes placed on the market and recycling tonnages increased year on year, rising by 4% and 7% respectively. The recycled aluminium recovered from beverage cans delivered greenhouse gas emissions savings of 5.7 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent — comparable to the annual emissions of a European city of more than half a million residents.

Industry bodies said the growth reflects continued improvements in collection systems, particularly in countries that have implemented Deposit Return Schemes (DRS). Malta, which introduced a DRS in 2023, saw recycling rates increase sharply from 50% to 80% within the reporting year. Latvia and the Slovak Republic also recorded double-digit growth following the introduction of DRS programmes in 2022, reaching 74% and 91% respectively in 2023.

The report highlights the broader climate benefits of aluminium recycling, noting that recycled aluminium requires around 95% less energy than primary production. Industry stakeholders believe further policy support — including wider adoption of deposit return systems and measures such as export duties on aluminium scrap — could accelerate progress toward closed-loop can-to-can recycling within Europe.

Andy Doran, Director of the Packaging Group at European Aluminium, said well-designed deposit schemes are proving effective in encouraging consumers to return used beverage cans while supporting high-quality recycling streams.

Krassimira Kazashka, CEO of Metal Packaging Europe, added that momentum is building across the region, with 12 EU Member States having implemented deposit return schemes by 2023 and more expected to follow. She said the industry remains committed to achieving full circularity for aluminium beverage cans by 2050.

The European rigid metal packaging sector produces more than 200 billion units annually across around 650 manufacturing sites, employing more than 60,000 people and supplying markets including beverages, food, aerosols and chemicals.