AF&PA-AWC Statement on DC Circuit Court Boiler MACT Decision

Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) published a detailed aluminum beverage can recycling primer and roadmap that explains how the ambitious U.S. aluminum beverage can recycling rate targets that CMI members announced in November 2021 will be achieved. Those targets are reaching a 70 percent recycling rate by 2030, 80 percent by 2040 and 90 percent by 2050. The aluminum beverage can is the most recycled beverage container in the United States with a 45 percent recycling rate in 2020. Consider that in 2020, for the aluminum beverage can recycling rate to have reached 70 percent, 25.6 billion more cans needed to be recycled. If the target had been met and those additional cans recycled, it would have generated more than $400 million in revenue for the U.S. recycling system and resulted in energy savings that could power more than 1 million U.S. homes for an entire year. The report explains in detail how CMI will achieve its targets via four pillars of action, which are: 1. Catalyze the passage and implementation of well-designed deposit systems at the state and federal levels. 2. Increase and improve household and away-from-home recycling. 3. Ensure that more cans are properly sorted at recycling centers. 4. Increase consumer understanding on the importance of aluminum can recycling and the ability to collect and sell used beverage cans for cash.

The MM Group has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change, forests and water security by global environmental non-profit CDP. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change, Forests and Water Security questionnaires, the MM Group is one of only 10 companies that achieved a triple ‘A’, out of over 21,000 companies scored in 2023 – including listed companies worth two thirds global market capitalisation and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. A detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess these companies, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks. In addition, the demonstration of best practice associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets, is included in the assessment.

The federal government is not committing to an environmental assessment of Northern Pulp's plans to pump treated effluent from their plant into the Northumberland Strait. "We're still evaluating whether a federal assessment is necessary," Catherine McKenna, federal minister responsible for environment and climate change told Island Morning host Mitch Cormier. There have been calls from fishermen and First Nations in Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick for a federal assessment on Northern Pulp's plan to pump treated effluent into the Northumberland Strait. The King government is also calling for Ottawa to show strong leadership on the issue. McKenna said she has received those letters from parties worried about effluent potentially being pumped into the Northumberland Strait.