Digging deeper: Our role in the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative

Trivium Packaging manufactures a wide range of metal packaging items for brands around the world. We shape the future of packaging to ensure a better planet for everyone – today and for generations to come. With nearly 7,500 employees in more than 60 locations around the globe, we believe that the products we produce are of pivotal importance as a vessel of protection and preservation for the products they contain.

A true sustainable future cannot be built by only one company. Therefore, businesses need to work together with value chain partners to create solutions that continuously improve environmental impact. Sustainability is at the heart of all we do, making us the natural partner for both up and downstream businesses aiming to achieve ambitious sustainability goals through our metal packaging solutions. We know from our Buying Green Report (consumer research that focuses on consumers' perceptions, values, and behaviors regarding sustainable packaging) that there are misconceptions about what is truly able to be recycled. What’s more, for many consumers, recycling can be confusing.

This is a multi-year project and the biggest results will be seen in the future. Our goal is to increase the recycling rates of aerosols and that will be the metric of our success. Our roadmap includes several initiatives, including understanding the current baseline, as an essential requirement to have a crystal clear picture and be able to assess progress towards improving this figure.

Recycling data in general is often a year or two behind. There are several different reasons behind this, such as the fact that recycling capabilities and processes vary greatly. In some countries, this is by city/county – while in others by state/region/territory. When there is no central combined way of doing things, it makes data hard to come by.

Like every other metal packaging format, aerosols can be infinitely recycled. However, their unique format and pressurization sometimes require special treatment in the recycling process. Additionally, consumers’ perceptions and behaviours might negatively affect recycling rates. Therefore, education plays a pivotal role in increasing circularity and ensuring the preservation of valuable resources. In our recent white paper, Aerosol Cans in Europe: A Story of Infinite Recyclability, we provided a comprehensive yet concise perspective on the recycling of aerosols in Europe, dispelling any misconceptions and giving practical guidelines for overcoming potential challenges.

When addressing complex, long-term challenges, it becomes crucial to establish a strategic framework that can guide us toward valuable solutions. The roadmap has been instrumental in illuminating the significance, attainability, required resources, and interconnections among potential initiatives, all while aiding in their prioritization. Serving as both a foundational stepping stone and a guiding light, the roadmap directs our efforts toward a future where consumers can confidently and effectively recycle their aerosol cans.

We have a range of initiatives in progress, with a specific emphasis on prioritising the establishment of a solid baseline and effective consumer communication. The way we convey our message to consumers, including on-pack labeling, holds significant sway over the ultimate outcomes we achieve. Naturally, we’re also dedicated to closely monitoring evolving regulations and the implications that measures such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and deposit return schemes will impose on the aerosol industry. Though there is still much to be done, we are eagerly anticipating the unfolding of these impactful initiatives.