The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has launched a new manifesto setting out what it says is needed from government and industry to realise the full potential of aluminium packaging within a circular economy, as the sector navigates rising costs, regulatory pressure and economic uncertainty.
The document makes five specific asks. On extended producer responsibility, Alupro wants the packaging EPR system to fund recycling infrastructure improvements and public engagement, with explicit encouragement for easy-to-recycle materials.
On deposit return, it is calling for the UK scheme to prioritise can-to-can recycling loops, arguing this would secure better environmental outcomes while protecting manufacturing jobs.
The manifesto also calls for measures ensuring waste packaging materials are directed to recyclers producing new packaging-grade material, for incentives encouraging brands to design with inherently recyclable materials such as aluminium, and for targeted policy support to help the sector decarbonise and improve its competitiveness against high operating costs.
Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro, said aluminium had seen market growth of more than 50% over the past decade, but that rising costs and regulatory complexity were now constraining both competitiveness and future investment. 'Our aluminium manifesto aims to tackle these hurdles head-on,' he said, 'calling for five key asks to drive the industry forward.'
The manifesto also highlights aluminium's material properties as central to the circular economy case: unlike many packaging materials, aluminium does not degrade through the recycling process, allowing it to be recycled repeatedly without loss of quality and reducing dependence on virgin raw materials.
Alupro sets out five-point plan for circular aluminium packaging economy
