The aluminium packaging recycling rate in the United Kingdom has increased by 4 per cent year-on-year and recorded a new high to 56 per cent, the highest ever level, found the Environment Agency data, published on the National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD) earlier this month.
The aluminium packaging market in 2019 grew by 8 per cent year-on-year, with 207,000 tonnes of packaging sold and 116,670 tonnes recycled, including an estimated 76% of all aluminium beverage cans sold.
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Data shows more than 102,944 tonnes of collected aluminium packaging (88%) were recycled into new high-quality products within Europe. The business recycling rate once again crossed the target, reaching 63 per cent compared to 60 per cent in 2018, while consumer-collected aluminium packaging recycling surged by 20 per cent to 89,543 in 2019.
This increase in aluminium packaging recycling could be attributed to the aluminium sector’s continued investment in ensuring that the packaging it produces is recycled. Greater public awareness was created about the widespread benefits of recycling through initiatives like MetalMatters and Every Can Counts.
The volume of aluminium packaging recovery from incinerator bottom ash (IBA) also increased, as a result of more volume of household residual waste being diverted to energy from waste plants rather than going to landfill.
Rick Hindley, executive director at Alupro, commented: “The continuing increase in recycling rates is all the more significant given the substantial increase in sales of aluminium packaging. Aluminium recycling is a true circular success story. Infinitely recyclable, reformed endlessly and retaining its properties indefinitely, nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced worldwide is still in use today. Within 60 days, the aluminium packaging that consumers recycle could be back on supermarket shelves – a hugely powerful message that really seems to resonate.
“Since 2010, the UK’s aluminium packaging recycling rate has increased by 15% (from 41% in 2010 to 56% in 2019). This demonstrates the desire of British consumers to step up and do their bit for the environment. Our goal is to achieve an aluminium packaging recycling rate close to 100% across the UK – maintaining such impressive progress is essential to make this a reality.”
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