Visy debuts beer cans with 83 per cent recycled content for Stone & Wood

Recycling and packaging company Visy has announced a pilot project with brewer Stone & Wood, aluminium coil supplier Novelis and metals company Rio Tinto, named “Re-In-Can-Ation”, producing a beverage can with an average of 83 per cent recycled content.

In a statement on Monday, Visy said the Re-In-Can-Ation is expected to run for 18 months. It involves production of cans at Visy’s Yatala site “using aluminium coil [containing] high proportions of recycled content as well as low carbon virgin (primary aluminium) material.” 

According to the release, the low-carbon primary aluminium is from Rio’s Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania, and “some of” the recycled aluminium “is collected by Visy from kerbside recycling and container deposit schemes”.

The amount of recycled content is compared to the latest Australian average of 68 per cent, with the release citing the 2022-23 figure from stewardship scheme the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation.

According to the company’s General Manager Circular Economy & Sustainability, Kate Baker, the cans boast almost a “quarter more recycled aluminium than the Australian average”, and “are easily recycled after use”.

Baker added, “It’s a terrific example of what we can achieve when working on innovative solutions with our suppliers, and our food and beverage customers.”

Justin Merrell, the Sustainability Director at Lion (which acquired Stone & Wood in 2021), said that an estimated 59 per cent in carbon emission reduction “achieved with this packaging is a great proof point for a strong circular economy and trusted partnerships.”

Picture: supplied