Alupro develops new protocol for aluminium packaging recovered from Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA)

Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has developed a new protocol for aluminium packaging recovered from Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA). This protocol for recycling will allow issuing of PRNs on this material from 1st Jan 2015. This is acknowledged by the Environment Agency (EA) and it could count 10,000 tonnes of recovered aluminium towards the targets set for the recovery of aluminium packaging.

The new IBA protocol recognises that a minimum of 50 per cent of the non-ferrous content recovered from IBA is aluminium packaging like drinks cans, foil, aerosols etc. Aluminium packaging is recovered from IBA Across Europe and is counted towards the national aluminium packaging recycling rates.

Alupro’s strategy behind this protocol is to ensure proper counting of all the recovered aluminium packaging so that a correct recycling rate is achieved. The packaging recycling sector has already expressed concern about the faulty PRN system which fails to provide an accurate recycling performance of the aluminium packaging sector. The protocol will also ensure an accurate comparison between the packaging recycling performance in the UK and its European counterparts.

“Aluminium packaging is already being recovered and recycled from IBA in the UK. The establishment of this protocol is excellent news as it will now mean that this recovered aluminium packaging can count towards national recycling targets. We would always prioritise the collection of household aluminium through clean collection systems to ensure maximum value of the material is achieved, but with the growth of energy from waste plants set to increase between now and 2020 it is important that the aluminium content of IBA is counted towards national recycling targets,” said Rick Hindley, Executive Director, Alupro on this new protocol.