New campaign encourages residents to recycle empty aerosols

Residents across Bath are being encouraged to recycle everyday aerosol products such as deodorant, shaving foam and hair spray as part of a new campaign to boost recycling rates.

Image © B&NES Council

Bath & North East Somerset Council has joined the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative (UKARI), a nationwide programme led by Alupro in partnership with SUEZ, to help increase the number of aerosols recycled through household collections.

The trial aims to understand how aerosols are currently disposed of in homes across the area and whether clearer guidance can help improve recycling habits.

Waste and recycling from households in B&NES is being analysed at the Keynsham Recycling Hub’s materials recycling facility to assess how many aerosols are collected via kerbside services.

A month-long campaign will provide residents with clear, practical advice on how to recycle aerosol cans and dispose of partly used containers. The material collected will be analysed again after the trial to see whether improved information has made a difference.

Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for resources, said: “We are really pleased to be one of four local authorities taking part in these trials.

“We have already achieved an outstanding 60% recycling rate in 2024/25 and partnering with Alupro and SUEZ on this initiative to give residents clear advice on how to recycle aerosols should help to increase the number of empty aerosols placed in household recycling green boxes.”

Tom Giddings, Executive Director of Alupro, said: “We’re delighted that Bath & North East Somerset Council has joined our initiative to understand collection volumes and examine the role of communications in driving positive change.

“Once complete, the project will help to inform national thinking when it comes to increasing aerosol recycling rates.”

Tom Merry, Commercialisation & Innovations Manager at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, added: “In a post-Deposit Return System world, new targets set to be announced under Extended Producer Responsibility legislation will require 50% of aluminium packaging (excluding beverage cans) to be collected for recycling.

“It’s therefore imperative that we maximise the recycling rates of aerosols, through establishing a baseline recycling rate and improving public understanding.

“We’re pleased to be working with Alupro and Bath & North East Somerset Council to drive forward this initiative and aim to share best practice with the sector through our research findings.”