Alcan revamps slow aluminum can recycling in \'01

The decrease was due to temporary suspensions made at some plants to improve productivity, an Alcan Aluminum Corp. spokeswoman told Reuters. She said a more specific number for 2001 could not yet be given. Alcan\'s recycling represented 40 percent of the cans recycled in the United States. Alcan\'s Berea, Kentucky aluminum can recycling plant, the largest such facility in the world, recycled more than 11 billion cans last year, the company said in a statement. Alcan also operates can recycling plants in Greensboro, Georgia and Oswego, New York. Greensboro in 2001 recycled more than 6 billion cans, while Oswego reprocessed more than 5 billion cans, the company said. According to U.S. trade group The Aluminum Association, U.S. recycling of aluminum beverage cans fell below a 60 percent rate in 2001 for the first time in a decade, due to lower production and reduced consumer attention to recycling. Industry experts have said the steep fall in the price of aluminum in the last two years also meant recyclers were no longer able to cover costs of hauling recycled material. The Association said about 55.6 million aluminum beverage cans were recycled last year, roughly 11.2 percent fewer than in 2000. The percent of cans collected, or the recycled rate, was 55.4 percent in 2001. Pierre Arseneault, president of Alcan\'s North American rolled products operations, said aluminum, was the most valuable beverage packaging material, earning five times more for its collection in curbside recycling programs than plastic and glass. \"Once produced from raw materials, aluminum (cans) retain the ability to be recycled forever, from a can to a can without any deterioration in quality or value. This is an advantage that no other recyclable material can claim,\" he said. The process helps conserve natural resources, reduces litter and minimizes the need for landfill space, he added. Cleveland, Ohio-based Alcan Aluminum Corp. in the United States employs more than 4,500 people at 13 facilities. Story by Zach Howard REUTERS NEWS SERVICE