According to the latest figures from the European Aluminium Association (EAA) the recycling rate for aluminium cans in the EU has risen by 5.4% in the last two years to hit 63%.

The United Kingdom has an aluminium can recycling rate of 51%. The country that recycles the most cans is Germany with a rate of 96% by using the Green Dot Scheme which means that the manufacturers contribute to the cost of recovery and recycling. The countries that recycle the least are Romania and Bulgaria with a rate of just 34% even though they also use the Green Dot Scheme.

It is believed that waste management operators and local councils are becoming more aware of the value of aluminium cans which has led to the increase in investment in recycling and sorting techniques.

Given the current system in the UK an aluminium can recycling rate of 51% is fairly good and its very likely that when the 2009 figures are released later this year they will have increased further.

A new report claims that more than £650 million is being lost by throwing away rubbish instead of recycling it.

Senior waste campaigner at Friends of the Earth, Dr Michael Warhurst recognises that recycling rates across the UK have improved but urged for more action. “Our low recycling rate means that we have to import more expensive resources like aluminium – this is economic madness when they could be recycled here and sold for a profit instead”.

“It’s time we recognised the real value of the materials we throw away every day. We only have one Earth and its resources are finite – making better use of them would save money and help tackle climate change.”

Friends of the Earth explained that approximately 24 million tonnes of recyclable goods are being incinerated or sent to landfill across European countries. The suggest more focus on recycling will significantly reduce carbon emissions and imports.

All this comes at a time when the economy is at a low point, a reset button has been pressed if you will. The old economy collapsed and now we can build and grow green, eco friendly ideas from the ground up.

We can eliminate the concept of waste through design, and that’s what is happening in many new green products now. The next economic boom will be full of efficient, recyclable and low wastage products along with new companies that will pay cash for recycling items like mobile phones and other gadgets.