Alupro responds to recycling targets
The Aluminium Packaging and Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has given a cautious welcome to the UK Government’s latest packaging recycling targets.
The Government has announced that statutory packaging recycling targets will increase year on year, and will be introduced from 2013 until 2017.
Alupro has called for a continual review of the targets in order to maximise recycling performance.
Following the announcement by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that packaging recycling targets will increase for aluminium by 3%, plastic by 5% and steel by 1% per year, with glass recycling split by end use, Alupro has confirmed it believes the targets to be challenging but achievable, as well as fair and equitable across all materials.
Rick Hindley, Alupro executive director, said: “Alupro fully supports the setting of aspirational targets but because there is still uncertainty concerning the removal of aluminium included in composite packaging from waste arising figures we strongly recommend that the targets set until 2017 are reviewed in 2014.
“This will help Government ensure targets remain challenging, achievable and aligned with industry objectives to maximise recycling performance. With around 16,000 tonnes of aluminium used in composite and laminate packaging, the removal of aluminium included in composite packaging from waste arising figures would play a significant role in helping the industry to boost recycling performance.
Alupro has confirmed that the metal packaging sector is committed to achieving an average 80% recycling rate across Europe by 2020.
“Alupro remains confident that we can achieve this target along with the sector’s own UK target of 65% for all aluminium packaging by 2020,” adds Hindley.
