Budweiser APAC launches program to boost recycling of aluminum cans

Eager to attain its goals of reducing carbon emissions by 35 percent by 2025, Budweiser Brewing Co APAC Ltd, the largest beer company in the Asia-Pacific in terms of sales revenue, has launched a "Can-to-Can" recycling program in China to boost the percentage of recycled aluminum cans.

The initiative, which was unveiled last week at Budweiser APAC's brewery in Putian, East China's Fujian province, aims to increase the number of recycled aluminum cans.

Jan Clysner, vice-president for sustainability and procurement at Budweiser APAC, said at a time when environmental consciousness and sustainability are paramount, Budweiser APAC will continue to spearhead efforts to support China's dual carbon goals and aim to reach its net-zero target across its value chain by 2040.

To pave the way for a cleaner and more eco-friendly future, China has set an ambitious goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality before 2060.

"By focusing on aluminum cans recycling and a closed-loop system, we are setting the stage for more sustainable practices within the beverage industry," said Clysner, adding this move underscores the company's commitment to environmentally responsible practices and its role in promoting a greener future.

Budweiser APAC to date has reused 6,000 metric tons of aluminum. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed brewer started aluminum scraps recycle collaboration with Chinese can supplier ORG Technology Co Ltd and the aluminum sheet supplier Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co Ltd during 2020 and 2021, and extended it further to be a close loop of can-to-can with more partners in 2022.

Its breweries in Putian, Wuhan, Hubei province, and Foshan, Guangdong province, have accomplished the can-to-can loop as they jointly signed agreements with related parties to recycle aluminum cans in 2022. It is a significant step toward sustainable practices by successfully establishing the can-to-can closed-loop recycling system.

Acknowledging that there is still much work to be done, Clysner said Budweiser APAC intends to broaden its collaborations, communication and awareness-building works. These activities aim to establish can-to-can recycling system as a strong pillar in promoting a green and low-carbon transformation across both China and the Asia-Pacific.

He said the group's 2025 sustainability goals, focusing on climate action, water stewardship, circular packaging and smart agriculture, will attract more partners across the value chain in the years ahead. Budweiser APAC will work diligently toward the goal that 100 percent of its products are in returnable and greener packaging by 2025.

For example, the company has already collaborated with suppliers to introduce lightweight cans, reducing aluminum use and saving significant amounts of the material.

With China focused on achieving carbon neutrality through industrial transformation and sustainable growth, the innovative and practical solutions of multinational corporations will not only be utilized in China but also can be adopted in many parts of the world, said Ding Rijia, a professor specializing in the green economy at the China University of Mining and Technology in Beijing.