Aluminium packaging sector exceeds 2013 recycling goal

Following the release of the Q4/2013 PRN results the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (ALUPRO) has announced that the aluminium packaging sector has surpassed its recycling goal for 2013. 70,788 tonnes of aluminium were recovered, an increase of 7,928 tonnes or 12.6% on 2012.

In 2014 the organisation hopes to reach its target of recycling 46% of aluminium packaging. However, despite achieving 2013’s goal, lower Q4 figures – 13,981 tonnes versus the 18,935 tonne average recorded for Quarters 1 to 3 – indicate some reprocessors / exporters are choosing not to report tonnage figures, the result of receiving less than £5/tonne PRN value.

Alupro highlights its concern that the low Q4 PRN value, which has already lead directly to a fall in the number of reprocessors /exporters choosing to become accredited in 2014, means that a significant volume of aluminium packaging which is collected for recycling will not be counted towards the 2014 recycling rate.

The PRN system is demonstrating the achievement of targets but is failing as a mechanism to measure “true” recycling performance.

Rick Hindley, executive director, Alupro, said: “Last year’s success is a good indicator that 2014’s higher target can be met, or even exceeded, which is great news for the sector, the environment and for the many campaigns and programmes Alupro runs that encourages the recycling of Aluminium.

“The Q4 figures, however, should be of concern, showing the PRN measurement system needs examining if it is to work in encouraging reprocessors and exporters to report their tonnage figures, especially if future and ever higher recycling targets are to be met. The system is ‘malfunctioning’ as companies producing and placing packaging onto the market are legally obligated to part of the system but recyclers and exporters of packaging are not!”

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