Steel is magnetic, has a high scrap value, and is infinitely recyclable.

A can may be recycled into a car, which can be recycled into a building which can be recycled into a washing machine – forever. It is the ultimate material for a circular economy.
These points and many more were made to parliamentarians at a recent Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA) event in the Houses of Parliament, attended by over 40 MPs, including Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, where Tata Steel’s packaging steels business is based.

The EPR fee methodology does not recognise recyclability or material value but instead focuses on weight meaning steel faces higher fees

She said: “We can recycle cans far more easily than we can recycle things made out of combinations of various plastics and layers. Steel is so easily recyclable, and that’s what we should be doing.”

Sponsor of the MPMA event Perran Moon MP added: “Metal packaging is a model of permanence and resilience illustrated by the fact that it has a packaging recycling rate exceeding 80%. The sector stands at the forefront of the UK’s green industrial revolution while supporting food security, reducing waste and creating skilled jobs across the UK.

"The (metal packaging) sector stands at the forefront of the UK’s green industrial revolution while supporting food security, reducing waste and creating skilled jobs across the UK." Perran Moon MP

This week, Dame Nia repeated her support for steel in a parliamentary debate to discuss forthcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that could penalise heavier but more recyclable materials such as steel over lighter less recyclable materials such as plastic.

She stated the EPR fee methodology does not recognise recyclability or material value but instead focuses on weight meaning steel faces higher fees. She further added if we are not careful EPR and high exercise duty could discourage investment in the UK.

Watch the parliamentary debate here