Waste management companies 'unsure about foil trays'

Waste management companies up and down the country are confused about the recyclable state of aluminium foil trays.

Indeed, it is a question that needs answering following the busy Christmas period.

Unsurprisingly, far more aluminium is used and disposed of over the festive period, with individuals using the material mainly for cooking trays, mince pie casings and turkeys wrappings.

Despite the huge amounts of aluminium used over the period, according to environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth, as little as 12 per cent of the material is actually recycled in the UK.

The group has urged people to look for other options so to be kinder to the environment.

This opinion has been echoed by waste minimisation expert Alan McInnes, vice chairman of the South Wessex Waste Minimisation Group.

He told letsrecycle.com that food packaging companies need to think more about how they can help the environment.

"It is a complete waste when you can have a glass or metal tray that has between five and ten year’s life. For many people it is convenience that leads them to buy these goods, but almost everyone has the equipment they would need not to have to use these in their home," he said.

"The companies which produce these definitely need to do more to encourage recycling."

Shaun Ford, the company’s commercial manager also told letsrecycle.com that there is a significant increase in the amount of foil used over the festive period.

"We handle between 20 and 50 tonnes a month on average, and in January and February there is usually as much as 50 tonnes available. Most traders will wait until they collect two or three tonnes before they then pass it onto us, often it is at the back of the truck which has brought in aluminium cans," he said.