Suez has estimated that 650 million metal aerosols are used in the UK each year, with over 80& used in the home.
The aluminium packaging recycling rate for 2023 was 68%. Various reforms, such as the deposit return scheme (DRS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Simpler Recycling, present an opportunity for the metal packaging sector to push metal recycling rates higher.
This joint project aims to provide data and case studies on how to increase the capture, sorting and treatment of aerosols. The first phase, over the coming 12 months, will see Suez recruit three local authorities in different areas across the UK to monitor and analyse aerosol capture rates, ready for the next phase of the trial to start in 2025.
The next phase of the trial will see a year-long sampling exercise measuring the quantities of aerosols collected through both the residual and recycling kerbside streams, as well as looking into the challenges of sorting and analysing aerosols collected through the kerbside system.
Furthermore, the year will see the trialling of a new communications campaign to consumers to boost aerosol recycling.
Alupro’s research has shown that many people are unsure of how to dispose of their aerosols and consequentially, fewer aerosols are disposed of in household recycling collections compared to other metals.
In 2023, the Environmental Services Association (ESA) found that 18% of the UK population admitted to throwing aerosols in their normal rubbish bin in the past year.
This project aims to improve public knowledge around” best practice recycling”, establish a baseline recycling rate and roadmap for achieving higher future rates for aerosol recycling, and seek to stimulate “substantial long-term investment” into recycling infrastructure.
Collaboration
Led by Alupro, the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative brings together partners from across the aerosols value chain. These partners include Suez, Ball Aerosol Packaging, Trivium Packaging, the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA), packaging compliance scheme Ecosurety, consumer brand Henkel, valve manufacturer LINDAL Group, The Materials Processing Institute, waste company CleanEco and processors of reclaimed metal Tandom Metallurgical Group and Tata Steel.
John Scanlon, chief executive officer at Suez recycling and recovery UK, said: “With the 50% aluminium recycling target coming in the near future under EPR, excluding drinks containers, it’s imperative that we maximise the recycling rates of aerosols, through establishing a baseline recycling rate and improving public understanding. We’re pleased to be partnering with Alupro to drive forward this initiative and share best practice with the sector through our research findings.”
Tom Giddings, executive director at Alupro, said: “This communications, collections and sorting trial represents the next big milestone on our roadmap to higher recycling rates for aerosols. We’re excited to see the results of the trial as they develop and to use them to build a blueprint for higher recycling rates. Hopefully, the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative will serve as a template for how responsible industries can collaborate to bring the circular economy to life; after all, metal is the perfect material for recycling again and again, so we should be minimising how much we waste.”
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