Trade association Alupro has commissioned a research project to reveal the real recycling rate of aluminium.
This follows concerns expressed by the organisation about the suitability of the packaging recovery note system (PRN) for recording aluminium packaging recycling.
Alupro advocates streamling the reprocessor/exporter accreditation system and reducing the administrative burden with the aim of capturing the true value of aluminium packaging recycled in the UK or exported for recycling.
Gaps in the data exists because the PRN system requires voluntary accreditation by reprocessors and exporters, but many choose not to become accredited.
Therefore, Alupro has commissioned consultancy Resource Futures to carry out research into how much aluminium packaging is reprocessed or exported beyond that reported by the accredited organisations.
Alupro executive director Rick Hindley (pictured) said: “Following Q1 figures being lower than anticipated, the Q2 figures show a continuing shortfall (at 12,334 tonnes compared to the estimated 16,750 tonnes per quarter required to achieve the target).
“Alupro is confident that the results are the consequence of weaknesses in data collection rather than the performance of the recycling system itself, and is hoping that this new study by Resource Futures will show the true recycling performance and help shed light on the disparities.
“A significant number of aluminium reprocessors and exporters have not maintained their accreditation under the PRN scheme, claiming that it is too onerous and with the value of PRNs so low last year, it was not worth their time to apply this year.”
