South Africans used more than 198 000 tonnes of metal cans, foil trays and aerosols during 2016 alone. MetPac-SA, the material recovery organisation representing the steel, tinplate and aluminium packaging industries in South Africa, is reminding South Africans that recycling their metals matter to the thousands of schools, collectors and convertors who earn a living from recycling this material.

“Metal packaging is one of the world’s most valuable materials for collectors and recycler. This packaging material continues to be in high demand and can readily be found in and around the home and includes cooldrink cans, food tins (including pet food), foil trays, empty aerosols canisters, metal bottle tops and foil wrap,” says Delanie Bezuidenhout, CEO of Metpac-SA.

According to the latest figures released by Packaging SA, South Africa has an impressive recovery rate for used beverage cans, which currently sits at around 73 % (up from 70 % in 2015) - one of the leaders in the world. For the past 5 years, metals packaging has consistently outperformed glass, paper and plastic by recording the highest recovery rate and diversion from landfill. Whilst South Africans have an already impressive track record when it comes to recycling their metal cans, MetPac-SA is now also appealing to people to think about the quality of their recycling as well as the quantity.

“The metals packaging industry has managed to develop a true circular economy whereby the material that is collected and recycled, is used to produce new products at a far lower cost to the environment than making them from raw materials. Every time metal passes through the recycling loop, the benefits are repeated, again and again and again!” Delanie explains. 

Recycling metals matter two Recycling metal packaging helps save valuable and scarce natural resources, energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Twenty recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one new can using primary aluminium ingot.  Similarly, recycling one beverage can saves the amount of energy needed to burn a 100w bulb for 4 hours, or to run a TV for four hours.

 “It is important to remember that both the quality and quantity of the materials that enter our waste stream impact the value.  The cleaner the food or drink can that gets thrown into the recycling bag, the higher the value will be for the collectors and the recyclers.  For this reason, we are reminding residents try to clean out their cans as much as possible before recycling it.  Because South Africa is a water-scarce country, you should use your used dishwashing-up water and not clean tap water. Every can that is recycled ends up making a big difference in the end,” Delanie concludes.  

Recycling aerosols

Ensure that your aerosol canister is completely used up before you put it in the recycling bin.

Do not pierce, crush or flatten aerosols before recycling.

Detach any loose or easily removable parts, such as the plastic lid, and dispose of them with the rest of your rubbish. Don't worry about removing the plastic nozzle - this will be removed during the recycling process.

Recycling foil trays and household foil

Clean aluminium foil can also be recycled, such as wrapping foil, take-away trays, pie and quiche cases and oven-ready meal trays.

Please wipe or rinse food residue off take away and ready meal trays: There’s no need to run the tap, just a quick swill in the bowl at the end of the washing up is usually sufficient.

Recycling non-packaging metal items

All steel and aluminium can be recycled but not all can be collected at the kerbside. You can take electrical items, like irons, or bulky items like bicycles and pans, paint cans and nuts and bolts to your household waste and recycling centre. Visit www.mywaste.co.za to find a recycling centre closest to you.

For more information, visit www.metpac.org.za

ENDS

Issued on behalf of MetPac-SA by Aim Marketing & Communications Consultants.

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