The Agency and government are keen to see the protocol agreed but it has been delayed in part by the low level of interest among aluminium recyclers.
Because the metal has a generally high value compared to other materials the revenue gained from issuing packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs) is low. Accordingly there has been little pressure on the industry organisation Alupro from within to reach an agreement.
A protocol would allow for a small percentage of a tonne of certain grades of aluminium scrap to be counted as packaging. This tonnage would then be eligible for PRNs and count towards the UK’s national targets.
A sampling and scoping study has now been carried out by Alupro with the Environment Agency. This has looked at a number of grades including old rolled and mixed cuttings.
Alex Griffin, director of Alupro, said: “It is too early to say exactly when the protocol will come into force but we are hopeful of reaching an agreement with the Environment Agency soon.”
Mr Griffin added: “We are confident that we will have more than enough PRNs this year although we will need a little bit extra and that will be accounted for by the protocol.”
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