A model which can predict the volume and value of aluminium packaging available for recycling has been developed by Robert Long Consultancy for Alcan Aluminium Can Recycling (AACR).

The fully-interactive CD-ROM calculates the aluminium packaging waste arising in an area when a local authority or waste management company inputs data such as the population or total household waste arisings. The model evaluates the different methods of sorting aluminium packaging and estimates the capital pay back period and the subsequent profit derived from the sale of the aluminium drink cans and foil. It even shows which method of operation is likely to be the most profitable - handpicking, single or double-shifting, eddy current and/or magnetic separation.

AACR's National Manager Rick Hindley said: "This research shows that aluminium packaging typically represents around 2% of the weight of packaging materials in the domestic waste stream, but constitutes 25% of the value from the sale of recyclables. This means that aluminium packaging can make a significant contribution to the financial viability of a MRF. "We are very excited about the model, which we hope will be widely used by local authorities and waste management companies to push aluminium to the top of their list of recycling priorities."

Robert Long Consultancy's Robert Walker explains: "We have validated the model against the productivity of existing recycling schemes throughout the country. This means the model can be used to assess the aluminium recycling potential in new areas, or to benchmark the success of existing recycling schemes.”