Alupro’s latest initiative will increase the recycling rates of aerosol cans in the UK

Recycling aluminium is one of the main elements for a greener and emission-free environment. Focussing on the same, Alupro, the aluminium packaging and recycling organisation have come up with an initiative which will make the concept of recycling aerosol cans more prevalent amongst the public in the UK. The program has been titled "UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative" and is expected to increase the recycling rate throughout the UK.

The project's objective is to guarantee the profitability and recycling of metal aerosols in the post-extended producer responsibility (EPR) and post-deposit return scheme (DRS) environment. Steel or aluminium in metal aerosols may be recycled eternally without suffering any quality loss since metal recycles without end. The project will produce a road map for a systematic strategy to increase the recycling rates of aerosols in the UK, including creating new consumer resources.

“This initiative will see us work closely with our partners to improve consumer behaviour and aerosol recycling infrastructure in the UK. These changes to the metal packaging industry will contribute not only towards a wider sustainable future but also allow us to take an important step towards a 100% metal packaging recycling rate,” said Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro.

Ball Aerosol Packaging, the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association (BAMA), Ecosurety, a packaging compliance programme and Tandom Metallurgical Group Ltd., processors of recycled aluminium, are just a few of the working group partners that the initiative brings together from across the value chain.

“We’re proud to have joined the UK Aerosols Recycling Initiative in partnership with Alupro. The programme will provide a unique platform from which consumer behavioural change and infrastructure improvements can be made. The project is pivotal in driving further improvements in recycling, addressing both consumer knowledge and the role of government and industry bodies,” said Predrag Ozmo, head of sustainability at Ball Aerosol Packaging.

The cross-industry initiative will use a three-phased methodology to inform consumers about best recycling practices, establish a baseline recycling rate and a roadmap for increasing future rates for aerosol recycling in the UK, and seek to secure significant long-term investment in recycling infrastructure. The programme will contribute to making sure that recycling of aerosols becomes commonplace.

Alupro and independent environmental consultant Resource Futures did sampling operations earlier this year to determine the UK's baseline recycling rate for aerosols. The findings revealed that only 46 per cent of aerosols are appropriately separated for recycling by customers, even though 95 per cent of authorities provide kerbside aerosol recycling.

To encourage people to recycle used aerosol cans, the consumer engagement campaign "The Lonely Aerosol" was also introduced at the beginning of the year. Nearly a million customers were exposed to the animations at least twice throughout the trial campaign.

“Consistently, aerosols top WRAP’s annual list of confusing consumer packaging types in regard to recycling. As an industry, our goal is to exceed a 50% aerosol recycling rate by 2030, making this initiative critical,” added Tom Giddings.