Evidence on Aluminium Collection by Local Authorities Project Code
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Project Name: Evidence on Aluminium Collection by Local Authorities Project Code - WR1201 Final Report April 2008 This research was commissioned and funded by Defra. The views expressed reflect the research findings and the author’s interpretation. The inclusion of or reference to any particular policy in this report should not be taken to imply that it has, or will be, endorsed by Defra. BeEnvironmental Ltd · Suite 213 Lomeshaye Business Village · Turner Road · Nelson · Lancashire · BB9 7DR · 01282 618135 · www.beenvironmental.com Quality Control Job Evidence on Aluminium Collection by Local Authorities Client Defra Date April 2008 Report Title Evidence on Aluminium Collection by Local Authorities (Project Code: WR1201) Report status Final Author Dr Jane Beasley Director Reviewed by Elaine Lockley Director Client Contact Nick Blakey, Waste Evidence Branch, Defra Details Be Environmental Suite 213 Lomeshaye Business Village Turner Road, Nelson Lancashire, BB9 7DR Phone 01282 618135 Fax 01282 611416 [email protected] Disclaimer: BeEnvironmental (the trading name of BeEnvironmental Limited) has taken all reasonable care and diligence in the preparation of this report to ensure that all facts and analysis presented are as accurate as possible within the scope of the project. However no guarantee is provided in respect of the information presented, and BeEnvironmental is not responsible for decisions or actions taken on the basis of the content of this report. BeEnvironmental Ltd · Suite 213 Lomeshaye Business Village · Turner Road · Nelson · Lancashire · BB9 7DR · 01282 618135 · www.beenvironmental.com Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 6 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................................................................... 6 3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION ................................................................................ 7 3.1 Local Authority Classifications ................................................................................................................ 7 3.2 Collection of Aluminium ........................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Collection Systems Used and Range of Aluminium Products Collected ............................................... 8 3.4 Reasons for Collecting Aluminium Products ........................................................................................ 14 3.5 Capacity to Collect More Aluminium .................................................................................................... 16 3.6 Ways to Improve Collection ................................................................................................................... 17 3.7 Barriers to Collection .............................................................................................................................. 20 4. DISCUSSION & SUGGESTIONS .................................................................... 23 4.1 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................ 23 4.2 Key Issues & Suggestions ........................................................................................................................ 23 APPENDIX 1: LOCAL AUTHORITIES INTERVIEWED .......................................... 26 APPENDIX 2: DETAILS OF THE INTERVIEWS ..................................................... 27 APPENDIX 3: CODED RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS ................................. 71 3 Executive Summary Defra is committed to taking forward work to increase levels of aluminium recycling in England. As part of this ongoing work BeEnvironmental were commissioned to undertake a research project to identify and review aluminium collection practices amongst a sample of local authorities, considering opportunities and barriers to increasing capture of aluminium. Forty authorities were selected from across England to take part in telephone interviews; this included 20 authorities identified as collecting aluminium (indicated by their WasteDataFlow returns), and 20 authorities who appeared to not be collecting aluminium (no returns for this material had been submitted to WasteDataFlow). The purpose of these interviews was to establish the level of aluminium collection services currently available, reasons for supporting and/or promoting the collection of aluminium within the authority, whether there was the potential to collect more aluminium material and if so how this could be achieved, and any barriers which may prevent an improvement in collection volumes. The authorities interviewed were defined according to whether they were a Waste Collection Authority or Unitary authority, the type of authority they were (based on the Defra classification of urban and rural authorities), and their size (population, number of households and population density). The key findings from the telephone interviews were: 100% of respondents confirmed that they collected aluminium, regardless of whether they were making any returns for this material to WasteDataFlow; The 20 authorities that were collecting aluminium but not making any returns to WasteDataFlow, were unable to supply data because either a separate breakdown for aluminium was not available, their contractor only supplied a general percentage in relation to alumium, or aluminium tonnage was only available for mixed cans. The availability of data in relation to aluminium collection (aside from those already making WasteDataFlow returns for this material) was limited; Both commingled kerbside and kerbside sort was used to collect aluminium (60:40 ratio amongst the sample); 16 authorities claimed to collect all aluminium products at the kerbside (identified as cans, foil, food packaging and aerosols). 11 authorities were identified as collecting cans only at the kerbside. 10 authorities stated that they accepted cans and aerosols. Only 3 authorities claimed to collect only cans and foil at the kerbside; Almost three quarters supported their kerbside collection with bring bank/Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) facilities (primarily mixed metals); The majority of respondents considered there was capacity to collect more. However only two authorities attempted to quantify the tonnage potential; More than two thirds stated that they collected aluminium as part of a multi-material collection service. Maximising tonnage of recyclables was also a key driver for just under half the sample; Almost two thirds stated that education and promotion were key to increasing volumes of aluminium collected. Extending the product range and implementing alternate week collection (AWC) could also increase volumes of aluminium collected according to just over a quarter of all respondents; Material Recycling Facility (MRF) limitations, collection capacity and recognition of aluminium products that can be recycled were the main barriers identified. Whilst a sample of 40 authorities can only give a general indication of trends or key issues, the study did highlight a number of areas which warrant further discussion and exploration and could feed into the ongoing work within Defra in this area. These included: the need for further quantification of the amount of aluminium currently being collected (as the survey indicated this is currently under reported); better understanding by local authorities of the quantity of aluminium available from the waste stream; targeting of both aluminium as a 4 specific waste stream, and also the range of aluminium products which can be recycled; the role of education and communication in increasing participation and capture in relation to this material stream (including further exploration of different ways to „package‟ the gains to be made from collecting and recycling aluminium); and, support in terms of addressing contractual barriers and increasing awareness of technical requirements for improved recycling. 5 1. Introduction Defra is committed to taking forward work to increase levels of aluminium recycling in England. As part of this study BeEnvironmental have been commissioned to undertake a short research project to identify why a sample of Local Authorities choose to collect some aluminium products and not others, and what they consider to be the main drivers for, or obstacles against, collecting more. 2. Research Methodology Forty local authorities were selected to take part in a telephone interview, including 10 who took part in a pilot survey to test the style of interviews and the questions used for their appropriateness in terms of generating sufficient data and information to meet the needs of the research. The purpose of these interviews was to establish the level of aluminium collection services currently available, reasons for supporting and/or promoting the collection of aluminium within the authority, whether there was the potential to collect more aluminium material and how this could be achieved, and any barriers which may prevent an improvement in collection volumes. The full sample of authorities who took part can be found in Appendix 1. The majority who took part were pre- selected1 by Defra (34), with 6 replacements being identified due to difficulties in contacting an appropriate representative or as a result of local authorities