UK’s aluminium packaging recycling rate grows to 37,815 tonnes in Q32022

The United Kingdom’s aluminium packaging recycling rate has been rising for three consecutive quarters and is still on course to surpass its yearly objective. As per the Q3 data released by the Environment Agency in November, 37,815 tonnes of aluminium packaging were collected for recycling between July and September 2022.

“The UK’s PRN data for Q3 shows another strong performance for separately collected aluminium packaging, material recovered from IBA and other local protocol fractions. It’s positive news indeed that PRNs issued to date this year are already well ahead of target,” said Tom Giddings, general manager of Alupro.

28,003 tonnes of material were collected using kerbside, carry, and on-the-go methods, 322 tonnes were collected via other means and 9,491 tonnes were recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA).

With three months of the year remaining, including the busy Christmas season, the UK has now achieved 80 per cent of its annual collection and recycling target with a net annual demand of 147,632 tonnes, taking into account a carry-in of 8,212 tonnes from 2021.

“While many had suggested that the high recycling rates experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic were just a short-term trend, it’s reassuring to see that impressively high volumes of aluminium packaging have continued. As we move into Q4, assuming volumes remain high, we could see recycling rates hit record levels – a huge achievement for the industry. This, alongside the news that targets for 2023 are set to remain constant, puts us in a positive position to maintain progress into the New Year,” added Tom Giddings.