World production of aluminium 43m tonnes of which 30% is produced from recycling (secondary production)
European consumption 8m tonnes
UK consumption 900,000 tonnes
Quick facts
Recycling aluminium is 20 times more energy efficient than making it from the raw material, bauxite
The drinks can you give for recycling today is often made into a new can, filled and put back on the shelf in just six weeks
Aluminium can be recycled over and over again without loss of quality
75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use
Saving energy also means reducing carbon emissions: a tonne of aluminium recycled saves 95% of the greenhouse gases emitted during primary production, as well as the 95% energy saved
Recycling aluminium saves 9 tonnes of greenhouse gases
Recycling one tonne of aluminium saves about the same amount of CO2 as taking a small car off the road for a year
Recycling one tonne of aluminium saves about enough energy to run a television for one hour
Aluminium packaging in the wastestream 145,00 tonnes (Defra 2008)
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 usually 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 36% in 2008
with the cans-only recycling rate estimated to be 52%.
* 30% 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. However, Defra's data separates the weights of component materials in composite packs, and uses these tonnages in the calculation of recycling rate.
