UPCOMING REGULATORY CHANGES FOR ALUMINIUM PACKAGING – GUIDANCE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

1. INTRODUCTION OF DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEMES:

(EXPECTED IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND FROM OCTOBER 2027)

The implementation of Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) in the UK will lead to a significant shift in the quantity of beverage can material in the household collection system. At present reprocessors often accept a mixture of baled beverage cans with non-beverage aluminium mixed in. We expect the acceptance criteria for beverage can bales to be a lot more stringent after the launch of DRS. This is because the DRS financial model requires the segregation of beverage can “DRS waste” from the wider “EPR waste” household stream.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES?

After the launch of DRS, any material sent to reprocessors as “beverage can” will likely have to contain substantially lower contamination of non-DRS material than is provided at present. There are plenty of reprocessors in the UK whom accept non-beverage material (such as aerosols, foils, closures and tubes), but authorities should be aware that post DRS a distinction between beverage and non beverage will be needed.

We advise Local Authorities to work with Alupro and our network of Reprocessor members to identify the correct outlet for your aluminium packaging material in the post DRS landscape.

WHAT ABOUT BEVERAGE CANS REMAINING IN THE KERBSIDE STREAM?

Beverage cans remaining in the kerbside stream post DRS should retain a proportion of their deposit value and Alupro are committed to working with Local Authorities and the Deposit Management Organisation to ensure that the value of DRS material in the kerbside is apportioned.