Written on: October 22, 2023 by SprayTM
Tata Steel Europe has joined the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative. Spearheaded by Alupro, the national program aims to increase awareness and education to drive an increase in aerosol recycling rates.
Steel aerosols are easily captured for recycling through existing UK recycling programs—curbside, magnetic extraction, and even after waste incineration. They make a valuable contribution to UK steel recycling rates, but consumers’ appreciation of their recycling credentials is low compared to other household metal containers such as food cans, according to a statement from the program, said Tata Steel.
“There is a definite gap in consumers’ knowledge of the recycling potential of metal aerosol cans. Separating them for recycling at home is not yet as instinctive as it is for most other forms of packaging,” explained Nicola Jones, Manager for Steel Packaging Recycling at Tata Steel UK.
“Tata Steel is joining the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative to help narrow that knowledge gap and help increase metal recycling rates still further,” Jones added.
Launched by Alupro in Fall 2022, the campaign’s key priorities are closely aligned to Tata Steel’s own recycling education activities which include encouraging and measuring recycling performance, ensuring consistency of public messaging around metal packaging recycling, and driving targeted consumer education of good home recycling practice.
Other members of the UK Aerosols Recycling Initiative include British Aerosols Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) and steel packaging manufacturer Trivium Packaging. The project also aims to encourage metal aerosol recyclability and viability in a post-extended producer responsibility (EPR) and deposit return scheme landscape.
Tata Steel is seeing greater interest in steel for aerosols, the company shared in a statement. Historically, steel aerosol cans are welded; now though, Tata Steel’s steel grades and can-making knowledge have made a non-welded aerosol can possible in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Tata Steel is also seeing considerable new interest in shaped aerosols which offer enhanced consumer appeal.
“Our contribution to a non-welded offer, interest in steel products which offer greater shaping opportunities, plus steel’s exemplary recycling credentials, make now the perfect time to join this recycling initiative,” shared Jones in a statement.
“Our end goal is to maximize steel collection and recycling, and the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative will make a significant contribution to this.”
For more information about the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative, click HERE
