Steel packaging has achieved a 82% recycling rate in the European Union, new data from Steel for Packaging Europe has revealed.
The data, for the year 2023, marks the highest ever EU recycling rate for steel packaging, with the findings independently verified and calculated using the EU’s harmonised methodology.
Recycling rate
The recycling rate for steel packaging rose 2% year-on-year, making it the most widely recycled packaging material in Europe, and aligning with the EU Circular Economy and Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) goals.
“The production and use of steel for packaging in the EU plays a critical role in helping member states achieve their circular economy goals – conserving resources and reducing emissions as well as helping to maintain food security and prevent food waste,” commented Steve Claus, secretary general of Steel for Packaging Europe.
“Meanwhile, the continued rise in steel packaging recycling rates, which corresponds to the amount of packaging that is really recycled at the entrance of recycling operations and not the volume of collected packaging which might contain impurities, reflects our industry’s commitment to closing the material loop.”
Claus added that all recycled steel packaging is utilised to make new steel products – from packaging to wind turbines – without a loss of quality.
Circular economy
Despite this achievement, Steel for Packaging Europe has said that further progress is needed to ensure a fully-circular steel recycling structure can be established. Claus emphasised the need for improved separate collection systems and continued support from EU policymakers to ensure steel packaging’s competitiveness and contribution to strategic sustainability goals.
“Steel packaging has long set the standard as a model material for a circular economy,” he said. “The forthcoming, new EU Circular Economy Act, which is expected to be implemented in 2026, is set to unify circular economy policies and prioritise sustainable access to critical raw materials. In this context, the importance of steel packaging’s practical, local and sustainable recycling success story, cannot be overstated.”
The EU steel industry is committed to cutting carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Steel for Packaging Europe, formerly known as APEAL, represents the five largest European producers of packaging steel, Acciaierie d’Italia A.S., ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein and U.S. Steel Košice. Read more here.
