UK-headquartered steel producer and reprocessor Tata Steel Europe has announced joining the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative.

The move comes as the company celebrates National Recycle Week between 16 and 22 October.

Launched late last year, the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative was introduced by Alupro, an industry-funded non-profit aluminium recycling organisation in the UK.

Tata said that this initiative mainly focuses on promoting metal aerosol recyclability while maintaining its viability in a post-extended producer responsibility and deposit-return scheme landscape.

Aside from Tata, other members of the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative include the British Aerosols Manufacturers’ Association and steel packaging producer Trivium Packaging.

Tata Steel Packaging Recycling manager Nicola Jones said: “We all use metal aerosols around the house, and they are widely used by businesses such as hairdressers and tradespeople.

“Yet there is a definite gap in consumers’ knowledge of the recycling potential of metal aerosol cans and separating them for recycling at home is not yet as instinctive as it is for most other forms of packaging.

“Tata Steel is joining the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative to help narrow that knowledge gap and help increase metal recycling rates still further.”

Tata said that this campaign’s priorities are in close alignment with its own recycling education activities.

The company runs education programmes to raise awareness about metal packaging recycling amongst local people.

These programmes also measure recycling performance and ensure targeted consumer education on good home recycling practices.

Jones added: “Our contribution to a non-welded offer, interest in steel products which offer greater shaping opportunities, plus steel’s exemplary recycling credentials, make now the perfect time to join this recycling initiative.

“Our end goal is to maximise steel collection and recycling, and the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative will make a significant contribution to this.”