According to new data, a record 10.7 billion cans were recycled in the UK during 2023 – the highest number ever collected and the length of which would reach to the moon and back.
But what does this mean for the drink can recycling rate in the UK?
The Latest Aluminium Recycling Statistics in the UK
Alupro, the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation, have revealed the record-breaking stats following an analysis of Environment Agency figures.
They found over 162,000 tonnes of aluminium packaging were recycled in 2023 through kerbside, bring, and on-the-go recycling systems – a 13% year-on-year uplift and a 4% increase since the previous record in 2021.
Click here to read the full news release by Alupro announcing the 2023 UK aluminium packaging recycling rates.
For aluminium drink cans specifically, 81% were recycled in 2023 and last summer, our dedicated team of recycling ambassadors collected and recycled more than 64,000 drink cans at events and festivals across the country, including Mighty Hoopla, Download Festival, and the Formula 1 British Grand Prix.
We plan to emulate this activity this year, with team members heading to a range of events to collect drink cans as part of our goal to one day achieve a 100% recycling rate for drink cans in the UK.
Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “These record-breaking figures show the positive impact we can have as a country when we all play our part in the recycling process.
“Big or small, every effort made by the public to dispose of their empty drink cans responsibly helps to inspire further progress and improve recycling rates both at home and on the go.
“Aluminium can be recycled time and time again without loss of quality, and every empty drink can that is recycled can be back on sale as a brand-new can in just 60 days. With World Environment Day just around the corner, we hope people feel inspired by the latest figures and continue to make recycling a priority.”
5 Incredible Facts About Drink Cans
- The amount of cans recycled in 2023 (10.7 billion) translates to carbon savings equivalent to removing over 250,000 cars from the road for an entire year!
- Drink cans are currently the UK’s most recycled beverage container.
- Drink cans are able to be recycled, filled and back on a shop shelf in just 60 days, thanks to the efficient recycling infrastructure in place across Europe.
- Aluminium (the metal that drink cans are made from) recycles forever!
- Recycling drink cans uses 95% less energy than creating new ones from primary aluminium.
Learn More
Want to learn more about the drink can recycling process? Visit our dedicated web page which takes you through the life cycle of a humble drink can.
