The Aluminum Association has completed one of the most comprehensive and transparent life cycle analyses ever conducted by an industry group.
The independent study of aluminum cans, carried out by PE Americas, part of PE International, the international market leader in strategic consultancy, software solutions and extensive services in the field of sustainability was undertaken in part to respond to Walmart's packaging scorecard which calls for its suppliers in all sectors to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Association said that the results confirming major reductions in the aluminum can's carbon footprint and energy use have been provided to both Environmental Protection Agency and Walmart.
Major findings include:
1. Reduction in overall carbon footprint of the aluminum can by 44%
2. 30% less energy usage
3. Reduction in package weight of 15%
4. 68% total recycled content, the highest of any beverage package material
Mr Steve Larkin president of the Aluminum Association said that the data shows that we are using significantly less material and less energy to produce same-size beverage cans as compared with 17 years ago. The aluminum industry has made tremendous gains in sustainability. The aluminum can is more sustainable than ever.
Mr Nuno da Silva MD of PE Americas said that LCA is the universally accepted method to comprehensively assess the environmental impact of a product from the raw materials, through the production, distribution, use, disposal and recycling of that product its full life cycle.
He said that the aluminum industry has made every effort to ensure the integrity and transparency of this important project. In addition to posting on the Association's website, the results and supporting data have been provided to the EPA, where they will be used to update the existing Life Cycle Inventory database and the agency's Waste Reduction Model. Government officials in the US and LCA experts around the world use these databases.
Ms Pat Persico manager of corporate communications for Novelis and chair of the Aluminum Association's Can Committee said that the study also confirmed our belief that the key to continuing to improve the carbon footprint of the aluminum can is to increase recycling rates. She noted that the aluminum industry is committed to a goal to increase the recycling rate to 75% by 2015 up from it's current rate of 54.2%. Recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy and creates 95% less green house gas emissions than new aluminum.
Source: www.steelguru.com
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