
The Environment Agency reports that 114,748 tonnes of aluminium packaging was collected for recycling in 2019, an increase of 15% from 2018. The data indicates that aluminium has exceeded the 2019 packaging recycling target of 112,200 tonnes (61%).

Due to be finalised in March 2020, the data suggests around 34,000 tonnes of aluminium packaging was recycled in the fourth quarter, the strongest quarter of the year and the highest ever reported across the 12-month period.
“This exceeds the target and is anticipated to provide a significant carry forward towards next year’s increased targets (61% in 2019 vs 64% in 2020),” the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) said.
Rick Hindley, Executive Director for Alupro said, “The data clearly demonstrates another impressive increase in the volumes of aluminium packaging collected and recycled – we anticipate that the final reported figure will be higher, which has been the case in previous years. It is excellent news that the target has been exceeded and the sustained growth of aluminium packaging recycling continues, but the data again clearly suggests that the aluminium PRN market has been distorted.”
“The abnormally high PRN price has significantly impacted producers and once again brings into question the system itself. Aluminium is a sustainable material, yet the market distortion caused by organisations holding back PRNs in order to force prices to artificially high levels, undermines the aluminium packaging industry. We are eager to see what additional investment to support further increases in aluminium packaging recycling and collection will result from the hugely increased revenues received by some aluminium recyclers and exporters last year.”
Alupro is an industry funded, not-for-profit organisation representing the UK’s aluminium packaging industry, which works towards fulfilling the industry’s obligation to meet, and exceed, recycling targets for aluminium packaging.
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