With sustainability, resource efficiency and material circularity quickly rising to the top of the local authority agenda, an incoming raft of positive legislative change is set to transform UK waste management.
From the introduction of a national deposit return scheme (DRS) and the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR), to the roll-out of Simpler Recycling legislation, the new measures aim to collectively drive a national increase in capture and recycling rates.
However, while change will accelerate progress towards meeting national targets, councils must be acutely aware of the resulting implications, the need for new processes and the requirement for behavioural change. After all, getting ahead of the curve will be key to maximising the benefits.
Material composition at the kerbside
From October 2027, a DRS will be implemented across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. With the aim of reducing litter and maximising recycling, the scheme will see a nominal fee added to the price of single-use cans and bottles, which is refunded in full when the empty containers are returned to store.
Successfully adopted by numerous countries across Europe, the scheme has the potential to drive widespread change. However, with a significant shift in the volume of beverage containers appearing in household recycling streams, local authorities must be aware of the broader impacts.
For example, while preprocessors currently accept a mix of baled beverage cans mixed with non-beverage can material, acceptance criteria will become far stricter and contamination tolerances will drop following the introduction of a DRS.
There are numerous reprocessors that accept non-beverage can material (such as aerosols, foils, closures and tubes), so we’d advise local authorities to engage with Alupro and our network to identify the best outlet for their packaging material.
When it comes to residual beverage cans in the kerbside recycling stream, we’ll also be working closely with the Deposit Management Organisation (DRO) to ensure that some the of deposit value can be retained. After all, enabling local authorities to trade this ‘unclaimed’ deposit value will provide an important financial benefit.
Changing recycling behaviours
To make recycling collections more uniform for consumers, Simpler Recycling legislation will soon standardise the range of packaging materials collected at the kerbside. When it comes to aluminium, local authorities must provide the facility to collect cans, bottles, aerosols, foil, trays, tubes, lids and closures.
As part of the new rules, a minimum of three bins will be required to segregate residual waste, food waste and dry recycling. This simple yet effective approach will minimise contamination and prevent valuable materials from being landfilled.
For some local authorities, who are already capturing all items outlined, no change is needed. However, for others, processes will need to change and homeowners should be made aware.
Our MetalMatters communications programme is the perfect solution for councils looking to increase consumer engagement. The industry-funded initiative offers a proven way to raise awareness of process change and influence positive recycling behaviours, so we’d advise getting in touch to see how we can help.
Getting ahead of the game
While new legislation will require local authorities to embrace change, the next 24 months will see huge progress made towards embracing a more circular packaging economy. Getting ahead of the curve and aligning your processes is key to maximising the opportunity. Through our consultancy, network and MetalMatters consumer engagement programme, Alupro is here to help.
For more information about new legislation, the possible impact for local authorities, and our expert guidance, visit https://alupro.org.uk/industry/local-authorities/regulatory-changes-guidance.
