Recycling is key at “Green Solutions in Central Europe”, 21st September 2011

“I am very happy to be able to welcome you to this event, organized for the first time in Central Europe,” said U. S. Steel Kosice President David J. Rintoul, officially opening the “Green Solutions for Central Europe” summit, organized by APEAL in conjunction with one of its members, U.S. Steel. Vice President Commercial Robert J. Beltz continued with a brief introduction on the potential for steel as a sustainable packaging material for Central Europe and the expected evolution of tin plate consumption in the region. This introduction set the scene for the discussion on the positive environmental credentials of steel that would dominate much of the morning.

Philip Buisseret from APEAL reminded participants of the environmental advantages of steel, accentuating how steel is still the most recycled packaging material with a rate of 72% in Europe, which the industry aims to increase to 80 % by 2020.

Philip also announced that new Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data shows that the global warming potential for tinplate in Europe decreased by 9 percent between 2005 and 2008.

John Clinton of Metal Packaging Europe reinforced the permanent nature of steel as a material and its infinite recyclability.

Representatives of APEAL’s 4 member companies animated a debate on the advantages of steel both in terms of packaging performance and in terms of environmental benefit.  They reiterated the importance of recycling steel, for the industry and for the environment and reinforced the importance of effective collection streams.

The APEAL members also each gave examples of local, community and national initiatives they have undertaken that demonstrate how the steel for packaging industry is a responsible industry, involved in local recycling and other society issues.

The event was held under the auspices of the Slovak Republic Ministry for Trade and Industry.   The audience also featured local government representatives from the municipalities of Kosice, Presov and Kechnec, and the guest list was complemented with representatives of companies from across Europe involved in producing, selling or recycling steel packaging materials.

For more information, please contact:

Philip Buisseret (p.buisseret@apeal.be), Patricia Mobbs (p.mobbs@apeal.be)