Steel – A Sustainable Alternative To Plastic Packaging

There has never been a better time to take a fresh look at steel as people now acknowledge the value of “really recycled” materials over “recyclable” ones, according to APEAL – the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging.

Although supermarkets are taking steps to reduce their plastic use, eliminating packaging is not an option. In the EU, around 88 million tonnes of food is wasted annually. It contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and makes the need to preserve food even more crucial.

Plastics are effective in preserving food, but with the current infrastructure, they can only be recycled a finite number of times. Steel cans provide a 100% barrier against light, water, and air, resulting in the longest shelf life for products compared to other packaging materials. Moreover, steel can be recycled over and over again without any loss of quality.

According to the latest figures, 80.5% of steel packaging in Europe is being recycled, making it the most recycled primary packaging material in the continent.

If supermarkets are to play a tangible role in sustainability efforts, this material needs to be embraced as a viable alternative to plastic.

ESM