Aluminium Packaging Protocol Acknowledged

A new protocol, which will account for the aluminium packaging recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA) for recycling, will allow PRNs to be issued on this material from 1 January 2015.

The protocol, which has been developed by the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) and has been acknowledged by the Environment Agency (EA), could see as much as 10,000 tonnes of recovered aluminium being counted towards the targets set for the recovery of aluminium packaging.

Alupro’s strategy is to try to ensure that all of the aluminium packaging collected for recycling is counted to arrive at the “true” recycling rate and the protocol will play a part in this. The new protocol will also enable a more accurate comparison between the sector’s recycling performance in the UK with its European counterparts.

Rick Hindley, executive director at Alupro, said: “Aluminium packaging is already being recovered and recycled from IBA in the UK. The establishment of this protocol is excellent news as it will now mean that this recovered aluminium packaging can count towards national recycling targets. We would always prioritise the collection of household aluminium through clean collection systems to ensure maximum value of the material is achieved, but with the growth of energy from waste plants set to increase between now and 2020 it is important that the aluminium content of IBA is counted towards national recycling targets.”