PACKAGING COUNCIL (SECRETARIAT)

Steel Sector

Steel recycling jumps to 57%

Steel recovery rates increased by 125 tonnes, equivalent to 1 million baby formula cans.

Celebrating the 8 millionth bale of steel recycled, the Steel Can Association of New Zealand (CANZBAC^TM) adopted a high public profile to remind 1.3 million households to recycle cans. Campaigns include TV and on-line advertising through Heinz Watties' 'Food in a Minute' show and a new character called Hanable the CAN-able promoting recycling to a new generation.

In last year's report it was acknowledged that the methodology for calculating steel consumption rates in New Zealand was flawed. Accordingly this year's data was prepared by extrapolating actual sales data of canned products provided by the supermarkets, including food cans, pet foods, aerosols and paint cans.

Domestic consumption is 46% less than previously estimated and reflects the increase in filled steel cans exported. The new data has been cross checked with export data from leading brands.

Recovery data was cross referenced to historical data and collection data from local councils. There was a further increase in steel-can recycling services. A survey of councils by CANZBAC^TM revealed that 98% of households had access to steel-can recycling through kerbside or transfer stations and that more councils now accept a wider range of steel cans - with an increase in those accepting cooking oil cans (up from 71% to 76%); aerosols (now 71%) and paint cans (17%).

With steel recovery rates increasing by 125 tonnes or the equivalent of 1 million baby formula cans, this lower consumption now yields a recycling rate of 57%, which exceeds the Accord target.

However there will be no let up in the campaign to drive awareness of the need to recycle more steel cans. Recycling steel benefits the New Zealand economy. The market for recycled steel is growing and, during 2007, prices for scrap and finished steel in Asia rose by up to 30%.

In total 350,000 tonnes of scrap steel per year is recycled locally into a range of steel products for construction and engineering. Up to another 300,000 tonnes is recovered, processed and exported to Asian markets. China is one of the largest importers of scrap steel and with increasing consumer demand and major building works for events like the 2008 Olympics, it is expected that China's appetite for scrap steel will continue driving further opportunities for New Zealand steel recyclers.

CANZBAC^TM has joined with the Aerosol Association to encourage brand owners to promote the recyclability of aerosol cans and has led to companies, including Reckitt Benckiser, putting the official Recyclable Steel Logo on their packaging.

New Zealanders have recycled 2.3 billion cans since 1994 but if everyone recycles one more can today, that's enough steel to build 20 buses in a year.

PACKAGING COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND
ACTING AS THE NZ PACKAGING ACCORD SECRETARIAT
77 Greenmount Drive, East Tamaki, Manukau
PO Box 58899, Greenmount, Auckland
PHONE: 09 271 4044, FAX: 09 271 4041