Aluminium: Recycling
(asked on 20th October 2026) - View Source
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Critical Minerals Strategy published on 22nd November 2025, what steps his Department is taking to retain secondary aluminium for recycling within the United Kingdom.
Answered by
Blair McDougall
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy recognises recycling and the circular economy as key to securing future supplies of critical minerals, including aluminium, and sets an ambition to meet 20% of total annual UK critical minerals demand through recycling by 2035.
The Department is working to increase domestic recycling capacity and promote the recovery and reuse of materials in circulation. The Strategy includes support for domestic production through public finance mechanisms and up to £50 million of funding for critical mineral projects.
Through the Metals Circularity Group, we are providing a structured forum for engagement and evidence-based policy development on the barriers and opportunities associated with greater domestic retention and recycling of secondary aluminium.