UK Aluminum Can Recycling Rate Touched Record High in 2018

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Alupro- the industry funded not-for-profit organization representing the UK’s aluminum packaging industry announced that the UK aluminum can recycling rate topped 75% in 2018, the highest level ever. The rate has surged higher by almost 38%, when compared with the 54% recycling rate recorded in 2010.

Nearly 95% of the aluminum packaging collected in the UK is recycled within the Europe. Also, 52% of the aluminum packaging was recycled in the UK. The UK recycled 100,141 tonnes of aluminum cans, equivalent to the weight of 361 Airbus A380 airliners. Also, the recycling of aluminum cans resulted in savings of 901,269 tonnes of carbon dioxide. According to Alupro, the aluminum can continues to remain as the most recycled packaging in the world.

The overall aluminum packaging rate has witnessed steady rise from 41% in 2010 to 52% in 2018. The notable jump in UK recycling rate is mainly due to the significant investments over the years by the aluminum sector in order to ensure that the packaging produced by them are recycled domestically. To mention, programmes such as MetalMatters and Every Can Counts have played a great role in creating awareness about the recyclability of aluminum packaging, Alupro noted.

Rick Hindley, executive director, Alupro noted that British consumers’ intent to be part of the circular economy has boosted the can recycling rates. The planned reforms to the producer responsibility system could result in more accurate reporting of recycling rates, he added.