The Global Aerosol Recycling Association (GARA) is officially launching the first global platform dedicated to standardising and advancing aerosol recycling practices.
Founded by Mike MacKay, GARA provides resources, training, and advocacy to address the environmental and safety challenges posed by aerosol containers while fostering collaboration across the industry.
GARA aims to address critical environmental challenges while providing the aerosol industry with resources and tools to implement safe, sustainable recycling practices.
Every year, 16 billion (+) aerosol cans are produced, with a significantly low percentage being recycled properly.
GARA’s mission is to tackle this underserved waste stream by creating a unified, global approach to aerosol recycling.
The association is focused on setting new standards for environmental impact reduction, safety training, and sustainability while improving the industry’s corporate image.
GARA will serve as a global resource hub, offering:
1. Standardised aerosol recycling methods – Establishing consistent practices to address aerosol waste management worldwide.
2. Environmental impact guidance – Tools to quantify and mitigate the carbon footprint of aerosol recycling. Assisting organisations in aligning their efforts with carbon reduction goals by assisting in carbon credit calculations.
3. Safety Training and Handling Protocols – Webinars and on-site training will be offered to ensure safe processing and handling of aerosols. Site safety assessments will be an option to rate the current safety levels as well as make recommendations for improvement.
4. Online training and webinars – Accessible educational sessions covering topics specific to aerosol recycling and sustainability.
5. Support for extended producer responsibility (EPR) – Providing guidance on compliance and best practices.
6. Specialised Recycling Programs – Targeted solutions for diverse aerosol waste streams, including post-consumer, post-commercial, and post-manufacturing sources.
7. Targeted solutions for hard-to-recycle aerosols – Focused strategies for challenging waste streams like expandable foam, halogenated products, adhesives and inhalers.
8. Advocacy and awareness – Promoting the importance of aerosol recycling and highlighting its role in reducing global warming.
9. Sharing technological advancements – Showcasing cutting-edge recycling methods, including technology that cleans propellants for “End of Waste” designation.
Through GARA’s initiatives, the aerosol industry can move toward a greener, more sustainable future, said the association.
By creating recycling programmes tailored to specific waste streams and providing advanced solutions for difficult-to-recycle products, GARA helps organisations meet global sustainability targets while bolstering their corporate responsibility.
Mike MacKay, founder of GARA and cofounder M.D.of Despray B.V., stated: “The aerosol industry has a unique opportunity to lead by example in environmental stewardship. By uniting under GARA, we can implement safer, greener recycling methods while positioning the aerosol industry as a model for circular economy practices.”
Global Aerosol Recycling Association to “set new standards”
