The recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans — as calculated by The Aluminum Association, the Can Manufacturers Institute and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries — climbed to 54.2 percent in 2008, up from 53.8 percent the year before.

“The aluminum can is a sustainable beverage package,” said Kevin Anton, chairman of The Aluminum Association and president of Alcoa Materials Management, in a press release. “A can that is recycled can be back on the store shelf in as little as 60 days. Recycling conserves energy, saves resources and minimizes consumer and production waste. We model the benefits of recycling and will continue to promote these benefits.”

“This shows recycling rates for cans strong and can makers are committed to their continual increase,” added Robert Budway, president of the Can Manufacturers Institute, in the release. “Higher recycling rates deliver the endlessly recyclable benefits for cans, reducing carbon emissions, virgin material use and energy expenditure.”