Foil packaging reaches recycling milestone

Two-thirds of councils now collect aluminium foil trays for recycling in what is being hailed as "a major milestone" for the aluminium packaging industry.


The latest survey from Alupro has found that 66% of local authorities are collecting the material, up from 56% 18 months ago.

This means that aluminium foil packaging can now carry new labelling to state that it is widely recycled at recycling points in line with British Retail Consortium criteria.

Alupro’s executive director, Rick Hindley, said: “Aluminium packaging is the most valuable material in the household waste stream, so the more we can recycle the better.

“Foil and aerosols can be added to a kerbside programme without requiring additional investment, so it is a cost-effective way for local authorities to add value to the material they collect.”

Alupro has been instrumental in developing the Aerofoil programme, an industry-funded campaign which works with councils to help them expand their recycling programmes to include aluminium foil and aerosols.

Maxine Perella

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