Global study reveals aluminium cans achieve highest collection-for-recycling and recycling rates among beverage containers.
At the recent COP30 held in Belém, Brazil in November 2025, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) announced that aluminium beverage cans achieved a global recycling rate of 75% in 2023, a major milestone in the industry’s drive toward full circularity.
The achievement brings the sector more than halfway toward the Global Beverage Can Circularity Alliance (GBCCA)’s goal of 80% recycling by 2030, first established at COP28.
The milestone is highlighted in a new global study providing the most comprehensive analysis of beverage packaging recycling ever undertaken. Commissioned by the Global Beverage Can Circularity Alliance (GBCCA) and conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting, the report compares recycling rates for aluminium, glass and plastic (PET) beverage containers across 35 countries, including Europe as a single market. Together, these regions represent 90% of the global aluminium market, 88% of PET and 84% of glass.
“This milestone shows real progress in keeping aluminium in circulation and out of landfills. Reliable, consistent data is essential to strengthen recycling systems worldwide, and COP30 gives us a vital chance to engage policymakers on this. Too many regions still lack accurate recycling data, a gap we must close through stronger cooperation between governments and industry. Greater transparency will help pinpoint where improvements are needed, boost recycling efficiency across all materials, and demonstrate what’s possible when the entire value chain works toward true circularity,” said Marlen Bertram, Director, Scenarios & Forecasts at the International Aluminium Institute (IAI).
The study aims to follow the EU’s calculation point for recycling, as defined in Commission Decision 2005/270/EC. It forms part of a three-year programme to improve global understanding of recycling performance, harmonise data definitions and enhance the quality and transparency of reported figures.
Key findings include:
Aluminium achieved the highest global recycling rate at 75%, surpassing PET (47%) and glass (42%).
Aluminium demonstrated strong performance even in regions with less developed waste management systems, underscoring its inherent circularity and high material value.
Regional results showed exceptional outcomes for aluminium, with recycling rates reaching 94.6% in East Asia and the Pacific and 94.0% in Latin America and the Caribbean – significantly higher than rates recorded for other materials and regions.
