New alliance targets recycling of small aluminium packaging

Small aluminium packaging has long slipped through Europe’s recycling system, according to industry players who have joined forces to close the gap.

The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) and Flexible Packaging Europe have formed an alliance to boost the recycling of small aluminium formats. The focus is on items such as chocolate and cheese foils, coffee capsules and other lightweight aluminium packaging which often fall through existing collection and sorting systems.

The alliance brings together 16 companies from across the value chain and members’ interests include aluminium foil, flexible packaging and semi-rigid container producers.

‘We need to join forces in the value chain to make progress, particularly with small aluminium packaging,’ says Guido Aufdemkamp, executive director at EAFA. ‘This alliance creates a shared foundation to improve collection, sorting and recycling in a targeted way.’

Sorting bottlenecks

High recycling rates for aluminium are being achieved across Europe with 76% the average for beverage cans. However, EAFA says some products lag behind despite modern sorting plants being technically capable of separating small items. In practice, many end up in incineration.

While recovery from treating incinerator bottom ash is commonplace, it does not meet the ‘recycled-at-scale’ requirements under the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

The alliance plans to identify waste management bottlenecks and support targeted studies. These will feed into practical measures across collection, sorting and recycling operations.

‘We will rely on the experience within our network of national aluminium recycling organisations,’ Aufdemkamp adds. ‘Existing initiatives will also play a role in turning solutions into action.’

Value chain approach

EAFA also points to a structural shift in household waste streams. Deposit return schemes are increasingly removing beverage containers from mixed recycling.This change allows sorting plants to focus more closely on other packaging formats, including small aluminium items.

The 16 confirmed participants are:

• Actega
• Al Invest
• Aluminium Féron
• Alupak
• Amcor
• Bel Group
• Constantia Flexibles
• Datwyler
• Delica
• Formika
• JDE Peet’s
• Laminazione Sottile
• Lindt
• Nestlé Nespresso
• Speira
• Symetal

For recyclers, the alliance signals a renewed push to unlock value from aluminium formats that have long been overlooked. Last year, Constantia Flexibles and Watttron presented a sealing solution for PP and lids aimed at improving recyclability.