Table of Contents
- Aluminium Under EPR
- Common Aluminium Packaging
- EPR Fee Rates
- Reporting Requirements
- Aluminium vs Other Materials
- Reducing Aluminium EPR Costs
- Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Aluminium packaging attracts an EPR fee of approximately £230 per tonne — moderate compared to plastics but higher than glass per tonne.
- Aluminium’s light weight means low total EPR costs per unit — a 330ml can weighs just 14g, making it one of the cheapest packaging formats under EPR.
- Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, which supports its relatively favourable fee rate.
- Aerosol cans, foil trays, closures, and capsules are all aluminium packaging that must be reported.
- The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will cover aluminium drinks cans, potentially exempting them from EPR fees.
Aluminium Under EPR
Aluminium is a packaging material with strong environmental credentials: it is lightweight, infinitely recyclable, and has high recycling rates in the UK (approximately 75% for cans). Under the EPR regime, aluminium attracts moderate fees that reflect its good recyclability.
For businesses, aluminium packaging often represents excellent value under EPR compared to glass (heavier) or plastics (higher fee rates). However, the sector still needs to track and report aluminium packaging accurately.
For EPR fundamentals, see what packaging EPR is.
Common Aluminium Packaging
| Format | Typical Weight | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks can (330ml) | 14g | Drinks |
| Drinks can (500ml) | 18g | Drinks |
| Aerosol can | 30-80g | Cleaning, personal care, food |
| Foil tray | 10-30g | Food (ready meals, takeaway) |
| Foil roll/sheet | Variable | Food service, household |
| Screw cap/closure | 2-5g | Wine, spirits, food jars |
| Wine capsule | 1-3g | Wine |
| Blister pack foil | 1-2g per strip | Pharmaceuticals |
| Coffee capsule | 1-3g | Coffee pods |
| Tube | 10-30g | Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals |
EPR Fee Rates
| Aluminium Format | Fee per tonne (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Aluminium (general) | £230 |
| Aluminium cans | £230 |
| Aluminium foil | £230 |
| Aluminium aerosols | £230 |
Currently, all aluminium packaging is charged at a flat rate. Future modulation may differentiate by format or recyclability.
For all material rates, see the EPR fees by material type guide.
Reporting Requirements
When reporting aluminium packaging:
- Separate aluminium from steel — cans can be either material; use a magnet test (aluminium is non-magnetic)
- Include all formats — cans, foil, closures, capsules, aerosols, trays
- Report composite items correctly — coffee capsules with plastic lining may be multi-material
- Classify by packaging category — primary, secondary, transit
- Include small components — bottle caps, tamper seals, blister pack foils
Multi-Material Aluminium
Some aluminium packaging is part of a multi-material composite:
- Coffee capsules — aluminium with plastic inner or film lid (may attract higher multi-material rate)
- Blister packs — aluminium/PVC composite (highest rate at £461/tonne)
- Laminated foil — aluminium bonded to paper or plastic
Multi-material items containing aluminium are classified as composites and attract higher fees than pure aluminium. See multi-material packaging EPR guide for details.
For reporting guidance, see how to report packaging data to DEFRA.
Aluminium vs Other Materials
EPR Cost Comparison (per million 330ml units)
| Material | Unit Weight | Fee Rate | EPR Cost per 1M Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium can | 14g | £230/t | £3,220 |
| PET bottle | 22g | £360/t | £7,920 |
| Glass bottle | 250g | £192/t | £48,000 |
| Steel can | 25g | £210/t | £5,250 |
Aluminium cans are the most cost-effective drinks container under EPR, due to their combination of low weight and moderate fee rate.
Aluminium Foil vs Plastic Film
| Material | Fee per tonne | Recyclability |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium foil | £230 | Widely recyclable |
| Plastic film (PE) | £360 | Limited recycling |
Aluminium foil trays and containers are cheaper under EPR than equivalent plastic containers and offer better recyclability.
Reducing Aluminium EPR Costs
1. Lighten Can Walls
Modern can technology continues to reduce wall thickness. Even small reductions per can create significant tonnage savings at volume.
2. Specify Lighter Closures
Aluminium screw caps and wine capsules come in different weights. Specifying lighter options reduces tonnage.
3. Review Foil Gauge
Aluminium foil trays and lids can often be specified in thinner gauges. Work with your supplier to identify the minimum gauge that meets performance requirements.
4. Ensure Correct Classification
Verify that aluminium items are classified correctly — misclassifying pure aluminium as multi-material would result in overpaying fees.
5. Consider Aluminium Where You Currently Use Plastic
Aluminium containers may be cheaper under EPR than plastic alternatives, particularly for food trays and closures. The recyclability advantage may also attract lower future modulated fees.
DRS Impact on Aluminium Cans
The Deposit Return Scheme will include aluminium drinks cans. When implemented:
- Cans in DRS scope may be exempt from EPR fees
- You will pay DRS producer fees instead
- Other aluminium packaging (foil, closures, aerosols) remains under EPR
See the Deposit Return Scheme guide for developments.
Getting Started
- Identify all aluminium packaging in your supply chain
- Separate from steel — use magnet testing if unsure
- Check for multi-material items — report composites correctly
- Register with a compliance scheme
- Submit data to DEFRA
Use the EPR fee calculator and visit our pricing page.