Container and Packaging Recycling Update - Volume XV No. 1 - Spring 2007

CRI’s 2007 Beverage Market Data Analysis now available

by Jenny Gitlitz

The 2007 “Beverage Market Data Analysis” (BMDA) is now available, using the most recent (2005) data available. Utilizing data from industry sources including the Beverage Marketing Corporation, Beverage World magazine, and the Beer Institute, CRI’s BMDA provides sales data in millions of units by beverage (10 types) and package (9 types) for the United States as a whole, and for all 50 states.

Many government officials, policymakers and environmental activists extrapolate from national sales data to determine per capita and statewide sales of glass, aluminum and plastic beverage containers, and consumption of various beverage types. Unfortunately, this method does not account for regional variations.

By using regional industry data for beverage sales, state-by-state packaging data for beer, and national data for beverage container sales, CRI has created individual state BMDAs that will enable you to get a much more accurate estimate of both beverage consumption and container sales in your state.

The data is presented in a series of Excel spreadsheets that show unit sales and market share. Our 2003 BMDA (using 2002 data) has been a popular tool for state agencies, public and elected officials, non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals researching beverage consumption and container recycling.

A comparison of CRI’s 2002 and 2005 BMDAs shows that in just three years, annual U.S. packaged beverage sales grew by 20.4 billion units: from 194.1 billion in 2002 to 214.5 billion in 2005. Two thirds of this growth was attributable to skyrocketing bottled water sales. Sales of other non-carbonated beverages--energy drinks, sports drinks, fruit beverages, and iced teas--are all growing as well--albeit more slowly, while sales of beer and soft drinks remain steady.

A “basic BMDA” module for one state is available for $75. A “recycling BMDA” ($100) contains additional spreadsheets on recycling rates, using estimates derived from national data for non-deposit states, and known redemption rate data for most of the states with container deposit laws that have reporting requirements (California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New York). Data are presented in millions of units and tons. Estimates of potential unclaimed deposit revenue are also presented.

The “deluxe BMDA” ($125) contains the foregoing, plus information about energy savings and greenhouse gas avoidance at various recycling rates in a given state. Regional and national data modules, and accompanying written analyses, are also available.

To inquire about purchasing CRI’s BMDA, please contact Jenny Gitlitz at
jgitlitz@container-recycling.org.

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