Recycling council closes

Recent changes in the local steel industry have brought on a change in the education of steel can recycling, according to the Steel Can Recycling Council Inc (SCRC).

These changes include the withdrawal of BlueScope Steel from local manufacture of tinplate for packaging, the increasing pressure from packaging imports and the increased awareness amongst consumers of the availability of steel can recycling.

As a result of these changes, industry members have decided that they will take up this challenge and the SCRC has resolved to wind up and will be handing over recycling education directly to can manufacturers and local government.

Over the past 11 years, the SCRC, through its promotional initiative Cansmart, has worked with a wide range of stakeholders including all levels of government, recycling contractors, can manufacturers, marketers, retailers and the Australian public to encourage and promote steel can recycling.

According to the SCRC, 94% of Australians now have access to steel can recycling services with existing secure and healthy markets and infrastructure to underpin the collection and recycling of post consumer steel packaging.

“Whilst it’s a sad day for those who have been involved in steel can recycling over the years, the effectiveness and vibrancy of the campaign has built a wide awareness and effectively a nationwide access to steel can recycling. People no longer need to be reminded to recycle. Eleven years ago, ‘the environment’ was not even an issue for most householders, yet now household recycling is a basic household task. It is a timely moment for the organisation to be changing shape and we know that manufacturers and local government will continue to carry the mantle,” Joe Stefano, SCRC chairman said.

For more information, visit www.cansmart.org.