MetalMatters: the initiative that promotes metal recycling in your home

A new initiative called MetalMatters has been launched by the West Devon government in the UK, with the support of industry. The campaign seeks to encourage households to recycle all types of metal materials such as cans, aluminum foil, empty aerosols, trays, tubes and screw caps.
In order to increase recycling rates in the area, an initiative will be carried out to deliver information leaflets directly to residents’ mailboxes throughout the region.

The campaign seeks to reach more than 26,000 households across the county with the goal of raising awareness about the proper way to recycle used metal containers. Since its introduction in 2012, MetalMatters has been implemented by numerous local governments across the UK.
MetalMatters is a program created to encourage curbside recycling and can be used by any local authority, either regionally, by collection zones or by targeting different demographic groups.

Lynn Daniel, lead member for Environment at West Devon County Council, mentioned: “We strive to increase recycling rates and decrease waste through the pursuit of environmentally responsible methods to meet the demands of our local communities.”
“MetalMatters will allow us to interact with West Devon residents, encouraging them to think about their recycling habits and how best to dispose of their metal packaging. Metal is infinitely recyclable, making it one of the most sustainable materials we have.”

West Devon City Council councilor Mandy Ewings mentioned that many residents are already committed to recycling and waste reduction, which is a good thing. However, he also stressed that more can be done in this area. Ewings recalled that every time an aluminum can is recycled, enough energy is saved to watch television for three hours. Therefore, placing metal containers in the recycling bin can have a significant impact on the community.
After more than ten years, the MetalMatters program has been a fundamental tool in educating the public about the benefits and importance of recycling metal packaging. Alupro’s managing director, Tom Giddings, is convinced that this campaign will drive an increase in recycling rates and motivate households to take positive action across the West Devon region.

“For us, the most important message is that metal is highly recyclable, which means that the quality and properties of the metal will not change during the recycling process. Making a few small changes can make a big environmental impact.” he concluded.