At a time when ‘normal’ life seems to have changed beyond all recognition, it is comforting to know that one thing is consistent.  Recycling may not be at the forefront of anybody’s mind right now, but we can assure you it remains as important as it’s ever been.

We have all seen the images, and many of us experienced first-hand the supermarket shelves standing starkly empty, devoid of many of the products we take for granted.  The suppliers of these products have been working at full capacity since the pandemic reached UK shores to ensure that we can all continue to be supplied with our essentials.  However, our favourite products don’t arrive in store ‘naked’, they need their packaging. Milk needs a bottle, beans need their tin and tonic water needs a can.

And, just as these products need their packaging, we need yours.

We need a constant supply of good quality, clean, dry metal to recycle, manufacture into new packaging and refill ready to be returned to you, containing your favourite products.    Metal packaging such as food and drink cans, foil trays, household wrapping foil, empty aerosols, sweet and biscuit tins and the metal caps from the tops of your glass jars and bottles.

Local councils and their collection crews are working tirelessly to ensure that recycling and waste collections continue as normal in the face of incredibly difficult circumstances. It’s estimated that over 90% of UK councils have so far been able to maintain their recycling service from households, which is excellent news for the recycling and packaging manufacturing industry.

Of course, as we all remain in our homes during this period of lockdown we are producing more waste than normal.   It’s estimated that in normal circumstances 25% of our meals would be consumed outside of the home and the resulting packaging and food waste generated would be handled outside of the home too.   This job now falls to us all.

Recycling metal has many benefits including energy, water and carbon emissions savings. However, whilst we await any changes in guidance from the Government regarding the pandemic, it is important to remain committed to recycling for another reason, to ensure the steady supply of material back to packaging manufacturers in order to continue the flow of material within the packaging loop.

On the bright side, getting into great recycling habits now will benefit all of us in the future and is a major step towards a more sustainable World when we finally return to our new version of ‘normal’.   Just please remember to recycle your metal packaging because WE WANT IT BACK!