The interactive CD-ROM will enable local authorities to assess the viability of aluminium can recycling as they will be able to input local data which will help them to evaluate the potential for recycling aluminium in their area.
The programme works by predicting the total waste arisings in an area and from this, calculates the volume and value of aluminium packaging available for recycling.
The model, called “The Business Case for Aluminium Packaging”, has been developed by Alcan Aluminium Can Recycling with Alupro and the Robert Long Consultancy.
The model uses data derived from materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to evaluate the different methods of sorting aluminium. The programme will then estimate the pay-back period and the subsequent profit derived from the sale of aluminium drink cans and foil.
Alupro says that money made from aluminium can recycling will enable local authorities to carry out kerbside collections for other materials. Alex Griffin, Alupro’s operations director, said: “Aluminium has a high value despite its low presence in the waste stream and will help local authorities to meet their best value objectives.”
Rick Hindley, Alcan’s recycling manager, said: “Our research shows that aluminium packaging typically represents around 2% of the weight of packaging materials in the domestic waste stream, but constitutes 25% of the value form the sale of recyclables. This means that aluminium packaging can make a significant contribution to the financial viability of a multi-materials recovery facility.”
He added: “We are very excited about the model, which we hope will be widely used by local authorities and waste management companies to assess the potential for new aluminium packaging recovery programmes, or the actual performance of an existing programme.”
But David Chambers, environmental health officer for Exeter City Council, said: “The weight of aluminium cans in the recycling stream will not make much impact on recycling targets and therefore local authorities are unlikely to recycle aluminium, although I think that they should.”
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