Environment Agency reports improved aluminium packaging recycling rates in May

The Environment Agency reported that 17,066 tonnes of aluminium packaging were collected for recycling in the UK in May. Recycling rates was up 48% year-on-year.

Aupro executive director Rick Hindley said: “The UK’s PRN data for May shows a dramatic increase, both month-on-month and year-on-year, in aluminium packaging recycling rates.

“Alongside greater public awareness about the benefits of recycling and an increase in the number of companies – including incinerator bottom ash processors – accredited for reprocessing, impressive rates can be attributed to the Covid-19 lockdown and resulting increase in household recycling volumes.

Over the past three month, some 38,014 tonnes of aluminium packaging were collected for recycling, from 25,986 tonnes of packaging were collected last year.

Rick stated: “With PRNs already raised for more than 57,000t of aluminium packaging in 2020, the future looks hugely optimistic. If recycling rates continue to remain high and local authority collections continue to operate as normal, I am confident that we will once again surpass annual targets.”