Media Information
World Ozone Day 16 September - Consumers confused about CFCs, recycling and aerosols
03/09/2006
is World Ozone Day on the 16th September 2006 and to mark the occasion The British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association commissioned some research* to discover how many consumers realised that CFCs were voluntarily removed from aerosols by the industry fifteen years ago. It seems that many consumers are still confused. 89% of us use aerosols in our home, however 19% firmly believe that all aerosols still contain ozone depleting CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), and a further 52% are not sure.
A third of women who do not use aerosols, said they believed that they were ‘bad for the environment or contained CFCs’. Men, in this instance, seem to be better informed as only 15% of those who used other product formats gave the same reasons. Surprisingly, 16-24 year olds, who were not old enough at the time of the voluntary removal in 1989, are the most ill-informed about the CFC issue and 30% believe that all aerosols still contain CFCs, whilst 50% are still unsure. Those a little older, aged 25-34, are the highest scorers (23%) in rightly stating that aerosols nowadays contain no CFCs and so do no harm to the ozone layer.
Today aerosols are not just free from CFCs but are also recyclable. Despite the fact that over 75% of Local Authorities take empty aerosols for recycling, half of the consumers surveyed were unaware of this. Those aged 16-24 may not realise that they are CFC free but are the group that are the most informed about aerosol recycling (51%). It’s those aged 35 and up (53%) who are less likely to be aware that all their empty aerosols can be easily and safely recycled along with other metal household packaging waste. Over the years, BAMA has given help and support to Local Authorities by providing free information and literature on aerosol recycling via its website www.bama.co.uk. The website holds artwork for kerbside collection or canbank labels, guidance for local authorities, as well as suggested text and illustrations for consumer leaflets, for each Local Authority to customise to its needs.
Dr Paul Jackson, technical manager at BAMA, said: “Just five years ago we estimated that only 7% of Local Authorities were collecting empty aerosols for recycling in the UK. Now our latest figures** show that over 75% of LAs are recycling them. It’s simple really, as recycling empty aerosols safely does not require a new collection scheme; they are just collected along with other metals. Our research shows that the message is clearly getting through to more and more councils, but now we need to encourage consumers to take part. CFCs were removed from aerosols by industry over fifteen years ago, though it seems some consumers are still unaware of this.”
Each year the UK uses around 600 million aerosols, which is equivalent to about ten cans per person; in total this represents over 30,000 tonnes of reclaimable high grade metal that can be recycled each year. Approximately 65% of aerosols are made from tin-plated steel, and the rest from high-grade aluminium. Both can be recycled.
Further details on the wide range of information and support material for recycling aerosols can be found at www.bama.co.uk or directly from www.recycleaerosols.co.uk, or by calling 020 7828 5111.
CONSUMER TIPS FOR AEROSOL RECYCLING Recycling empty aerosols is easy, just:
1. Check how your Local Authority collects aerosols for recycling (e.g. kerbside collection or can bank)
2. Make sure your aerosols are used up, but do not pierce or squash them
3. Remove any plastic parts that come off easily, such as lids
4. Then leave them mixed in with your other metal waste, such as food and drinks cans (do not separate them)
ends
NOTE TO EDITORS
*Qualitative Research conducted March 2006 by Sue Robson Consulting and tns Omnibus Survey conducted May 2006 amongst 1000 UK based adults.
**Telephone Research conducted 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005 by Synergy Connections amongst Local Authority recycling departments.
For further press information please contact:
Gill Shaffer or Jo Jacobius
Axiom Communications
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