At Stone & Wood, using business as a force for good is something that has been at the core of our philosophy from the beginning. Minimising our footprint and caring for our community is a focus for our business. We were the first Australian brewery to become B-Corp certified (learn more here), and our breweries are certified carbon neutral by Climate Active.

Beyond our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle, we jump at opportunities to explore innovative practices that help improve the general life cycle of beer and industry standards. Packaging has always been a big contributor to the overall environmental impact of our product. Aluminium is highly recyclable and, in Australia, is easily collected through kerbside or container deposit schemes. However, when it comes to recycling rates there is huge room for improvement.

We believe our planet is the only one with beer on it and we need to work together to look after it. Please, make sure the can in your hand is being properly recycled to help us ensure a future with the highest possible level of recycled content cans.

A major factor in achieving high-levels of recycled content in cans is keeping cans in
rotation and out of landfill. Keeping cans in rotation, the circular economy,
and advocating for higher recycling rates must be a priority for governments, companies and each and every one of us. Together we can.

The recovery rate for aluminium beverage cans in Australia is 64%**. This means
for every 3 cans placed on the market, 1 is ending up in landfill or somewhere
it doesn’t belong. Our intention with this campaign is to have
a CAN-did conversation about how to improve the sustainability of our industry
and what each and every one of us can do to drive more sustainable outcomes.

** (Source: Australian Packaging Consumption &
Recovery Data 2022-23, Version 1 December 2024, Australian Packaging Covenant
Organisation (APCO). Available here.)

Cans are collected either through council-managed kerbside collection or can be dropped off at a return point under the Container Deposit Schemes (CDS) in each state.

From here cans are sorted and baled and can be processed into new cans. In order to achieve a higher level of recycled content in our cans, we need more cans to be kept in
the loop for them to be recycled. Individuals, government and companies have a huge opportunity to make a positive difference in this space.

We all have a responsibility, from consumer to government and producers. We need to raise awareness on the importance of the disposal of valuable resources in the right way to maximise their collection, recycling and reuse. The fact that only two thirds of our aluminium cans are currently recycled isn't good enough. We need governments and industry to educate the public and make it easier and more convenient for people to recycle. We hope projects like this are doing their part in raising awareness and making people excited to participate more.

Yes! Recycle more, spread the word and pick up litter where you see it. Participate in your local container deposit scheme and donate your refunds to local community groups, schools or charities to help them raise funds. Make submissions to your local council to provide greater access to recycling in public areas while also providing greater education and advocacy for correct disposal and recycling of materials. People should also demand greater access and education around recycling from their employers, local clubs and businesses.

Due to the small size of the Australian market, there are no facilities which manufacture rolled aluminium coil for beverage cans. Therefore, to turn used aluminium cans into new cans they need to go offshore for processing. Visy collects used beverage cans and other recyclable aluminium and sends it to our supplier of aluminium coil, Novelis in South Korea, where it is processed into new aluminium coil, ready for manufacturing beverage cans. Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling is one of the largest suppliers of aluminium coil to the Australian market and one of the largest purchasers of Australian used beverage cans for recycling back into aluminium cans. Even though used beverage cans are shipped overseas to be recycled, Visy and Novelis work closely together to drive circularity of the available cans.