A study by Empac, the European Metal Packaging organisation, has shown a reduction of 30% in the carbon footprint of the 3-piece 425ml steel food can, across the period 2000-2010.
Empac says the reduction has been achieved through a consistent decrease in the average can weight delivered to customers, combined with a “substantial increase” in steel recycling rates.
“This result proves that the metal packaging industry continues to achieve more with less, being thus aligned with the European Union’s resource efficiency roadmap and the need for effective resource conservation,” the Brussels-based organisation states.
Since 2000, the average can weight is said to have fallen by some 6%, while the average European recycling rate for steel has “improved by 44%”.
“Further double-digit savings can be achieved, in the medium term, with advances in both weight reduction and steel recycling rates,” says Empac.
Data for the Empac study was provided by APEAL, the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging; Soudronic, a leading Swiss manufacturer of slitters, can body and drum welders, bodyformers and end making systems; and TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research using the Empac environmental scorecard.
