Julie Meeks Discusses Aluminium and Recycle My Salon Scheme with Marc Carey
[Julie Meeks]
My name is Julie Meeks, I'm an administration manager and I work for AluPro, which is an aluminium packaging recycling organization. We're a not for profit organization funded by the aluminium industry, so the companies that produce the cans, foil trays, that sort of thing. We've been in existence for 30 years, helping to increase the recycling rates of aluminium in the UK.
[Marc Carey]
Welcome, Julie. Thank you very much for joining me today.
[JM]
Thank you for inviting me.
[MC]
It's a pleasure to speak to you. Now, tell us a little bit about the organization you work for.
[JM]
Okay, we've been around for over 30 years now, we're a not for profit organization and we're funded by the aluminium can and foil trade manufacturers with the aim of helping to increase the aluminium packaging recycling rate in the UK. We do this through a lot of consumer engagement programs, working with local authorities, waste management companies, individuals, charities, you name it we've probably worked with them.
[MC]
It's quite inspirational to know that an industry is making sure they get behind some of these agendas, particularly environmental. So, from your perspective, do you see any contradictions between the grassroots messaging and the corporate board level messaging or is it now starting to align?
[JM]
I think it's starting to align. We've always had the simple message that aluminium is endlessly recyclable and it's a valuable resource. That's the key message that we've said all these years and it has definitely gotten through to the individuals that we want it to reach, so I'd like to think that we've done our job over the years.
[MC]
Obviously with this scheme that you're advocating for, Recycle My Salon, how were you first approached to get involved in this?
[JM]
That's a really good question Marc. Probably a couple of years ago, we were approached by a company and members of the hair and beauty industry to look at how we could tackle recycling the material. So I would say we sort of got the ball rolling on it and introduced the sponsors to the relevant part of our members, and now they've run away with it and put together this fantastic scheme. So it's been really great to have been a part of that, albeit a small part.
[MC]
In terms of the way they're rolling this out, I think it's admirable that they're doing this from an industry perspective and not in a silo from one company or independent.
[JM]
Absolutely, they've all come together which I think is what needed to happen and they're doing it as a not for profit scheme. The material can be recycled which is what we've wanted to happen all along so I think it's fantastic that they've all pulled together and we've now got this scheme off the ground. So we're more than happy to endorse it.
[MC]
I think there's also a little bit of miscommunication or misunderstanding around recycling now. I mean, the messages have been there for a long time but for example, I've heard other interviewees mentioning the fact that some of the salon owners thought they were recycling these aluminium tubes already and they didn't realize that they have to be treated differently. Have you found that as well? I would say it's probably a matter of education around the board, not just in this industry?
[JM]
I mean I've worked for the company for 25 years now and during that time we've had a lot of salons contacting us asking us what can they do with their aluminium foil. Up until now we've been telling them that unfortunately that material is very difficult to recycle because of the chemicals that are on the foils and so it ended up in general waste. Now we've got the technology, the likes of Tandem Metals, etc, which can process and recycle the aluminium to bring it back into circularity, which is fantastic. I couldn't tell you the number of salons we've had over the years that thought that they could recycle it when up until now they've not been able to.
[MC]
You mentioned earlier on about how aluminium can continue to be recycled, it's the ultimate circular economy vehicle really in terms of material to supply. I think I read somewhere that 75% of all aluminium that's ever been created is still in circulation. So there's still this 25% to attack which is presumably quite substantial?
[JM]
That's absolutely correct Marc but yes we've still got work to do, that's why we're still here. I can tell you that the UK aluminium packaging recycling rate is 68%, that was in 2020 and the drink can recycling rate was at 82%. So you can see we've still got work to do. Also looking at the other fraction of aluminium that should be recycled, you know the colour tubes and the hair foil, so we can aim towards that 100% recycling rate for aluminium packaging.
[MC]
Moving in these circles around environmental matters, climate change, etc. Are you starting to see a change in attitudes at board level? Because typically economies have been dictated by, let's be honest, the big corporates. Are we now starting to see corporate social responsibility creeping in?
[JM]
I would think so. I could definitely speak for the aluminium industry in everything we do, how we work and the programs that we run, we think about sustainability. For the hair and beauty industry, although we're not part of that industry, with programs like this that are just about to be launched you can definitely see progress being made there.
[MC]
I guess that's the point, isn't it, getting the message out there? I love this idea, I was talking to one of your fellow interviewees about moving away from those traditional customer hairdresser conversations and instead talking about global warming. I mean, that'd be great, wouldn't it?
[JM]
Yeah it really would. Rather than "what are you doing for the weekend?" or "where are you going for your holidays?". It's lovely to think that those sorts of conversations would happen. I think people are more savvy and aware of what's being used and what they can do or should be doing so I think this scheme has only got to help it even more.
[MC]
You mentioned you were involved in the very early days of this, as it has progressed was there one particular thing that you thought was the standout USP or unique value proposition?
[JM]
It's the sustainability of it. They've got everything in place now, everybody's come together, all the sponsors, they've got the materials, the messaging, etc. It's fantastic that they've all pulled together. It's very difficult to say if there's one thing but I think it's the whole community coming together and realizing that that's what they needed to do to make it work. So I guess sustainability is the key thing, isn't it?
[MC]
Yeah, definitely. Are you seeing other industries that maybe thought that they couldn't find a way to recycle their materials are now approaching you and saying they need help or has that always been the case?
[JM]
I think it's that this particular material has always been a problem but we're continually trying to develop new programs and working with new partners to get people to use fewer resources and recycle more of the aluminium packaging, not just the drink cans, aerosols and the tubes.
[MC]
Also, we've seen a new generation come through and become consumers, employees and business owners even though it scares me to say that, being a man of a certain age.
[JM]
And me! They're more savvy, aren't they? They're more aware of the environment and what should be done if it isn't being done. Definitely.
[MC]
Yeah, I guess there's a message there as well. Well look, Julie, it's been an absolute pleasure to talk to you today. Thank you for spending some time with me. You've done a brilliant job of explaining why you've been supporting this particular scheme and telling us a little bit about your work. Are there any final words you'd like to leave with us?
[JM]
I just think it's a fantastic project. We're happy to endorse it. As I said earlier, we know that aluminium is such a valuable resource and it's endlessly recyclable so I think it's fantastic that the hair foil and the colour tubes can now be recycled properly.
[MC]
As I said, a pleasure to speak to you today and on behalf of the community of us out here thank you for getting behind this as well. I really do appreciate it and thank you for your time.
[JM]
Thanks, Marc. Take care.
