More cans were available for recycling across Europe in 2013, according to the latest statistics.
Last year, drinks cans saw higher sales, higher production and a higher share of the European beverage packaging market.
According to new figures released from Beverage Can Makers Europe (BCME), almost 60 billion cans for soft drinks and beer were produced in Europe in 2013.
This is a 3 per cent increase on 2012 production figures and the fourth year of successive growth for beverage can output in the region.
Deliveries of cans for soft drinks increased by almost 4 per cent despite a fall of more than 1 per cent in sparkling soft drinks consumption.
Production of cans for beer grew by more than 2 per cent against a 3 per cent decline in packaged beer consumption in the region.
BCME marketing committee chairman Welf Jung said: “These latest figures are further evidence of increasing manufacturer and consumer preference for cans as a beverage packaging format. Over the past year, we’ve seen major brands launch new pack sizes and formats to keep pace with the rise of convenience shopping and smaller basket shops. We expect to see continued innovation in the beverage market during 2014.
“Cans are already a very popular packaging choice for beer, soft drinks and energy drinks owing to their ease of filling, cubic efficiency, convenience and endless recyclability. The continual improvement in recycling rates across Europe is further confirmation that consumers are responding positively to industry programmes, such as Every Can Counts which BCME is one of the funding partners of, which promotes a recycling culture.”
