On 14 September, the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association (BAMA) held an open Steering Group meeting with industry stakeholders to discuss how to improve consumer messaging and strengthen UK aerosol recycling rates.
Patrick Heskins, BAMA chief executive, explained how the need for improved recycling messaging, and collective action up and down the supply chain had been prompted by insights from the association’s recent sustainability workshops and discussions. He also highlighted recycling as an important and central pillar of sustainability for aerosols.
Work ahead to increase recycling rates
Tom Giddings, executive director of Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) presented the work it does on the metals value chain, improving circularity and recycling rates.
He pointed to the current 50% aerosol capture rate in the UK, and stressed that while progress had been made, there is ‘still work to do’ to capture aerosols through traditional recycling routes.
Giddings also drew attention to the introduction of the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in 2027, and upcoming higher fee modulation targets within packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) and how these developments reinforce the need to improve aerosol recycling.
He also talked attendees through UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative’s (UKARI) Road Map and how the organisation had identified the need to measure aerosol recycling, and deploy consistent public messaging, including a standardised recycling label.
BAMA’s new messaging proposal
Following Giddings' presentation, Heskins steered the discussion towards the action companies can take, presenting a new approach to consumer messaging. BAMA’s proposal is to roll out collectively agreed, standardised wording for use across online and offline advertisements that feature aerosol products.
He also highlighted that the association will provide support to companies by proposing details of a Recycling Messaging Voluntary Agreement to the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA).
Following the meeting, Heskins said: “We were really pleased with the positive reception to our initial proposal and conversations. The next steps now are to present more detailed proposals on the wording to the Steering Group members, before reaching alignment and agreeing timelines.”
