Aluminium packaging recycling rates once again hit record-breaking levels in Q3 2021 and remain on track to exceed their annual target, according to data released by the Environment Agency.

Q3 2021 saw 39,974 tonnes of aluminium packaging collected for recycling, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year (34,700). Between January and September, a total of 121,277 tonnes of aluminium packaging were collected for recycling – 9% higher than in 2020 (111,754).

With a net annual requirement of 134,243 tonnes, taking into consideration a carry-in of 8,326 tonnes, all the signs are pointing towards a record-breaking recycling rate for 2021, with three months of the year – and the busy Christmas period – still to go.

Aluminium packaging collected through kerbside, bring and on-the-go systems totalled 28,601 tonnes (an increase of 11% compared to 2020), while tonnage recovered from energy from waste (EfW) rocketed from 8,463 in 2020 to 11,052 in 2021 (an 8% increase).

Tom Giddings, general manager of Alupro, commented: “The UK’s PRN data for Q3 shows another strong year-on-year increase among separately collected aluminium packaging, other local protocol fractions and aluminium packaging recovered from IBA. It’s incredible to see that we’ve nearly hit targets for 2021 with three months of the year left to go.

“While many were suggesting that the high recycling rates experienced in 2020 were a short-term trend, coming as a direct result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, it’s reassuring to see that record volumes have continued into 2021 and show no signs of slowing.

“As we move into Q4, assuming volumes remain high, we could see recycling rates surpass 70% for all aluminium packaging and more than 80% for aluminium beverage cans before the end of the year – a huge achievement for the industry.”

For more information about Alupro, visit www.alupro.org.uk.