Aluminium packaging recycling rates exceeds 2020 target by more than 5%, says Environment Agency

Aluminium packaging recycling rates have surpassed its 2020 targets by more than 5%, according to data released by the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency reported 42,265 tonnes of aluminium packaging collected for recycling in Q3. This marks a growth of 41% year-on-year and 4% quarter-on-quarter. To date in 2020, 119,198 tonnes were collected for recycling, an increase of 48% year-on-year.

Aluminium packaging collected through kerbside, bring and on-the-go systems increased by 28% to 78,685 tonnes, while tonnage recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA) more than doubled to 40,513 tonnes in 2020, from 19,139 tonnes in 2019.

Rick Hindley, executive director at Alupro (pictured), commented: “The UK’s PRN data for Q3 shows an astonishing year-on-year increase among separately collected aluminium packaging, other local protocol fractions and aluminium packaging recovered from IBA. I’m delighted that rates have surpassed their target with three months of the year still remaining!

“Following the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown in March and resulting spike in home working, it’s great to see the results of the nation’s continued commitment to recycling its aluminium packaging. This, alongside greater public awareness of the benefits of recycling, have combined to drive the highest aluminium packaging recycling rate ever reported.

“As we move into Q4, assuming volumes remain high and residents continue to consume at home rather than on-the-go, we could see recycling rates reach close to 70% for all aluminium packaging and more than 80% for aluminium beverage cans before the end of the year.”