United Kingdom

Aluminium

UK recycling rate of al cans : 36%. In UK 24700 tonnes recycled 1.4billion cans recycled

Clean aluminium foil can be given for recycling in an increasing number of mainstream local authority systems. The industry-sponsored Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) works with individual local authorities to establish the most appropriate foil collection programme for the area, and also provides assistance and information to all interested parties. Recycling aluminium foil uses only 5% of the energy used to make it from the raw material, bauxite, and because the metal can be recycled again and again without significant loss of quality, the energy savings - and environmental benefits - accumulate.

Foil collection

The majority of local authorities collect different materials for recycling through a network of public collection banks, called bring systems. In the growing number of areas where foil schemes have been established, clean foil is usually collected in special foil banks, which are serviced by a local community group or charity. All the money raised from the sale of the foil for recycling - currently £400 per tonne where direct routes to remelt have been established - is retained by the group providing the foil service, or donated to charity. Primary schools and the Meals on Wheels service are also encouraged to collect for the local group. Where local authorities, or waste management contractors, operate a collection service of mixed recyclable materials from the home (usually called kerbside systems), foil can also be included, with the material value helping to offset the collection costs.

Steel

"Nearly 50% of the steel in household packaging is recycled"

APE recycling (%)
Evolution 5%
From 1996 to 1997, the recycling of used domestic steel packaging rose by 5%
Portion of recycled steel in new steel (%)
Evolution 8%
In the steel industry, the use rate of scrap in the production of new steel is growing constantly. It reached 48% in 1997.

 

Steel is, of course, a recyclable material. And through Usinor's efforts, it is also a recycled material.

In partnership with others in the business, the Group is constantly innovating to meet the challenge of recycling for sustainable development.

Recycling