A three-month waste composition analysis trial has officially launched in Solihull, forming a key part of the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative’s (UKARI) efforts to increase the recovery of post-consumer aerosols through kerbside recycling.
Spearheaded by Alupro and funded through UKARI, the trial is being delivered in collaboration with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, with materials analysis managed by Sherbourne Recycling at its state-of-the-art MRF – one of the most advanced of its kind globally.
The project will assess current capture, sorting and recycling volumes of aerosol containers from fully comingled household collections.
Insights from this trial will inform a tailored communications campaign to encourage correct disposal practices and boost recycling rates among residents.
Impact will be measured through a comparison of pre- and post-campaign kerbside data.
Tom Giddings, Executive Director at Alupro, commented: “Consumer confusion remains a significant barrier to aerosol recycling. Concerns around safety, particularly with pressurised containers, lead to many units being discarded incorrectly. By collecting detailed data and trialling targeted messaging, we aim to drive measurable behavioural change and increase capture rates.”
The Solihull trial is the first of three planned interventions in 2025, with further activity scheduled in other local authority areas.
Combined results will contribute to a broader understanding of the UK’s residual waste composition and inform sector-wide best practice.
Tom Merry, Commercialisation & Innovations Manager at SUEZ, added: “With Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation and Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) reshaping packaging recovery targets, it's essential that we address historically under-recycled categories like aerosols. This partnership will enable us to establish a robust baseline and demonstrate the value of communication in improving recycling performance.”
Cllr Ken Hawkins, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “We’re proud to support this initiative. It builds on our commitment to innovate in waste management, including our adoption of soft plastics and mixed recycling. Improving aerosol recovery represents another important step in our journey.”
Post-trial, Alupro and SUEZ plan to expand the scope of collaboration to explore further operational improvements in sorting and recovery systems. Findings will be shared across the sector to support wider implementation.
The UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative is an industry-led coalition working to transform aerosol recycling in the UK. Members include: SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, Ball Aerosol Packaging, Trivium Packaging, British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA), Ecosurety, Henkel, LINDAL Group, CleanEco, Tandom Metallurgical Group Ltd, and Tata Steel UK.
Data-led trials begin to boost UK aerosol recycling rates
