Facts and figures

The big picture

All figures are best available estimates.

World production of aluminium 43m tonnes
of which 30% is produced from recycling (secondary production)

Notes

99% primary consumer packaging.

* 35% drinks cans are consumed away-from-home; in the workplace, and at sports, leisure and travel locations.

**Composite packs ‘cannot be separated by hand'. Obligated producers should report total pack weight as being the predominant material. Guidance notes are available from Alupro. However, Defra's wastestream data separates the weights of component materials in composite packs, and uses these tonnages in the calculation of recycling rate.

European consumption 8m tonnes

UK consumption 900,000 tonnes

Aluminium packaging in the wastestream 143,00 tonnes (Defra 2006)

Over 99 per cent of aluminium packaging is primary consumer packaging, from the highly visible drinks can or takeaway container, through to the foil which wraps a bite-size chocolate, or the lid on a pot of yogurt. Aluminium is used in packaging for its unsurpassed barrier properties, and for its clean modern look. All plain or lacquered aluminium is 100% recyclable, saving up to 95% energy - time and time again.

Ample reprocessing capacity and secure end-markets are available: drinks cans can be recycled, made into new cans, filled and put back on the shelf in just six weeks. Other plain aluminium packaging is recycled with mixed aluminium scraps and turned into lightweight engine components, leading to further energy savings over the lifetime of the vehicle.

Most aluminium in composite packs will not be recycled, because the pack will have been sent for recycling to the reprocessor of the predominant material, for example drinks cartons containing a thin barrier layer of foil will go to the paper industry, and aluminium caps on glass bottles will go to the glass industry. However if the aluminium is separated during reprocessing, it can certainly be recycled.

Recycling rate

The official aluminium packaging recycling rate is 32.5% in 2006
(an tonnage increase of 17% over 2005), with the cans-only recycling rate estimated to be 48%.

Aluminium packaging recycling targets 2001 - 2008