Environment Agency reports improved recycling figures for aluminium packaging in UK

Environment Agency UK reports that a little less than 30,000 tonnes of aluminium packaging was recycled in Q3 2019. Packaging recycling rate was up 6% in the full year 2018. These numbers indicate that aluminium will hit its annual target of 108,919 tonnes of recycling in UK.

Rick Hindley, executive director, of the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) said: “We are optimistic, following a disappointing Q2, that this year’s target will be met and anticipate that there should be more than enough evidence to allow producers to meet their obligations.   As a result, we expect the unjustifiably high PRN price will start to fall to more realistic levels.   Historically, aluminium PRN prices have been below £30 per tonne, yet currently aluminium PRN’s are trading, on the spot market, at around £450 per tonne.”

In order to boost recycling data, Alupro urged the government to make short-term changes to the Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) system, pending the reform of producer responsibility system. This is in order to ensure that PRN prices stabilise at a realistic level and to ensure that monies raised through the system are used to boost recycling levels.

It is also noteworthy that plastic and glass recycling rates have also increased in Q3 2019 QoQ. Only paper dipped slightly from the second quarter.

Alupro is an industry funded, not-for-profit organisation representing the UK’s aluminium packaging industry, which works towards fulfilling the industry’s obligation to meet, and exceed, recycling targets for aluminium packaging.