UK's aluminium packaging recycling rate creates a new benchmark in 2021: Alupro

The United Kingdom’s aluminium packaging recycling rate reached a new high of 68 percent in 2021, with more than 156,000 tonnes collected for recycling (a 3 percent rise year-on-year). More over four out of every five beverage cans (82 percent) were recycled last year, matching the previous high of 2020.

“It’s pleasing news indeed to report yet another record-breaking year for aluminium packaging recycling. While the total UK market size grew, recycling rates kept pace. More importantly still, the vast majority of material was collected through kerbside, bring and on-the-go systems, which maximised the potential for closed-loop recycling,” said Alupro’s executive director, Tom Giddings.

Despite a rising domestic market, the amount of aluminium packaging collected through kerbside, carry, and on-the-go systems climbed by 5 percent (112,210), while the amount of incinerator bottom ash recovered increased by 2 percent (41,941). More than 88 percent of the total amount was recycled inside the United Kingdom and the European Union, with just 12 percent being shipped for reprocessing elsewhere.

“In 2020, recycling rates shot up across the board, driven in the main by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting national lockdowns and mandatory working from home guidance. Many suggested that 2021 would see a natural drop in rates, due to gradually easing restrictions, so it’s positive to see that consumers continued to recycle their aluminium packaging in 2021 and maintained their good habits,” added Tom Giddings.

Every Can Counts, Alupro's communications initiative focused at encouraging drink can recycling, is led by Chris Latham-Warde, stated, “A record-breaking recycling rate reflects ever-increasing public awareness about environmental issues and the widespread benefits of recycling. Over the past 12 months, Every Can Counts and also MetalMatters have continued to engage consumers throughout the UK and Ireland to make real inroads towards improving recycling rates at home and when on the go. With a full schedule of events and activity planned with partners this year, we expect the figures to be even more impressive in 2022.”