And we will also strongly urge safeguarding the ‘internal market’ legal base of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. Member States’ national waste legislation proposals should preserve the Internal market and the free circulation of packaging and packaged goods.

In another positive development for packaging, APEAL welcomed the European Parliament’s (EP) own initiative report: “Resource efficiency: reducing food waste, improving food safety” which was voted in plenary in Strasbourg last 16^th May.

The EP report recognised the positive contribution of packaging as a solution to the prevention of loss and waste along the supply chain.

Indeed, packaging materials have an important role to play by protecting products and extending their shelf life. Steel packaging in particular is impact resistant, puncture resistant and virtually unbreakable with a unique 100% barrier against light, water and air that protects products from damage or spoilage. Requiring no energy during transport or storage, steel packaging protects products for up to 3 years (5 years for some food products).

Over 2,7 million tonnes of steel have been effectively recycled and will be available for the manufacture of new steel products, a real example of the circular economy at work.

 “This is another major achievement and sees the recycling rate of steel for packaging pull still further away from that of other packaging materials,” said Alexis Van Maercke, secretary general of APEAL.

 “We are closer than ever before to achieving a truly circular economy which reduces waste, saves resources and closes the material loop.”

This record rate, which represents data from 2015, confirms steel as Europe’s most recycled packaging material for the eleventh consecutive year and sees the recycling rate of steel packaging increase by 1,5 percentage points since 2014.

The methodology and data sources used by APEAL for the calculation of this rate were independently reviewed, audited and certified by energy and waste specialist consultancy, Eunomia.

For more information, please visit www.apeal.org

Today, as increasing pressure is brought to bear upon limited natural resources, research and development programmes continue to seek more effective means of recovery for all types of metals and alloys. New steel, however, continues to be produced from old steel, every day.

Alexis Van Maercke took advantage of a global audience at May’s Interpack in Dusseldorf to release the latest 2015 steel recycling rate.

Along with APEAL’s Eva Tormo, Alexis discussed the benefits and best practices for recycling steel with an academic audience at the Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling faculty of the University of Košice in Slovakia at the June Quo Vadis Recycling conference.

At the same time, Stéphane Tondo detailed the economic, environmental and social benefits of steel for packaging at the “Unleashing Innovation in Packaging” event in Amsterdam. 

Alexis followed up at “Packaged 2017”, also in Amsterdam, giving an overview of the framework that EU & national policy makers are creating to promote the circular economy and encourage transition from a linear economy.

Find out more about APEAL event participation here.

APEAL was present to accept the award, which followed on the heels of the Best Association Website award won last year.

One of our aims at APEAL is to be the key reference point for everyone interested in steel for packaging. As such it’s very rewarding to be recognised for successful and award-winning tools.

Seeing off competition from a wide range of entrants, “Steel for Packaging Update” was recognised by the judges for its structure and clarity of design as well as its relevant and quality content.

Readership size and engagement was a key deciding factor, backed by positive feedback from readers. Thanks to all our subscribers for making this possible!