UBC Recycling Programs
Group Recycling Activities
Aluminum cans are highly recyclable containers that are gentler for the environment.
Used Beverage Cans (UBCs) can be repurposed into the same kind of aluminum cans over and over again, a system called "Can to Can".
Making recycled aluminum only takes around 3% of the energy needed to make new aluminum, helping to reduce GHG emissions and prevent global warming.
Altemira Group Initiatives in Recycling
- We began recycling aluminum cans in the 1970s, pioneering in the industry
- In 2001, we established an integrated processing system for UBCs covering all steps from collection to materials and aluminum can manufacturing
- In 2022, we formed a unique corporate group utilizing circular economy functions
ALTEMIRA,ALTEMIRA Can
ALTEMIRA Techno Solutions Co., Ltd
MA Aluminum Corporation
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Eco-Friendly Aluminum Cups
In recent years, given the crisis of plastic in the ocean, there has been growing interest in alternative containers to disposable plastic cups. With this in mind, the Altemira Group has developed an aluminum cup to be used in place of disposable cups.
The Green AL CUP®*1 that our group has developed is the world's first aluminum cup made with 100% recycled materials*2. Use of recycled materials avoids energy use during mining and smelting processing, reducing GHG emissions significantly. It also eliminates the need to mine for new resources.
After use, the cups are repurposed as aluminum cups and cans through our group's UBC Integrated Processing System, which includes all steps from collection to material and can manufacturing. Production was launched in 2021 with plans for gradual expansion.
The Altemira Group will continue its efforts toward a circular economy society through this aluminum cup made from recycled materials and a variety of other projects and initiatives.
Aluminum Cups in Use
- Basketball B League B2 Playoffs 2021-22 Fighting Eagles Nagoya Home Game (photo 1)
- "Japanet presents Inasayama Peace Music Festival 2022: From Nagasaki to the World" peace charity event (photo 2)
*1：Green AL CUP® is a registered trademark of Altemira Can Co., Ltd.
*2：Materials consisting of used beverage aluminum cups and aluminum cans, can materials and scrap generated during aluminum can manufacturing (excluding those for alloy component adjustment).
Voluntary Collection Efforts
The Altemira Group has led the industry in its aluminum can recycling initiatives, and this spirit of recycling continues today in our activities. In 2024, our group voluntarily collected 23,196 kg of cans - an average of 8.7 kg collected by each of the 2,665 participating employees. What is more, in each of our locations, we take part in UBC collection and local cleanup programs and continue to raise awareness of recycling. The aluminum cans collected through these activities are processed by our group's system and repurposed as aluminum cans again. The Altemira Group will continue these collection efforts to fulfill our responsibilities in realizing a circular economy society.
| Collection locations | Collected amount | Participants | Amount collected per person | Number of cans collected per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 results | 12 | 19,965kg | 2,671 | 7.5kg | Appx. 470 |
| 2024 results | 12 | 23,196kg | 2,665 | 8.7kg | Appx. 540 |
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Promoting Use of Recycled Materials
The Altemira Group is promoting improvements in usage rate of recycled aluminum ingots in can manufacturing to reduce GHG emissions.
| 2013 | 2022 |
|---|---|
| 67% | 74% |
Percentage of recycled materials used in Altemira can manufacturing relative to the amount of aluminum ingots used