In 2016 over 13,000 tonnes of aluminium packaging – primarily drink cans– was placed on the market in Ireland.
High value
Aluminium packaging represents up to 25% of the value of materials typically collected at the kerbside and commands the highest price per tonne for any recyclate collected at kerbside.
Aluminium represents 1% (by volume) of the domestic waste stream. This may sound like a relatively small amount but the high value of aluminium means that even small amounts yield reasonable cost savings for a recovery operator.