West Midlands business becomes second new Novelis Aggregation Centre to open this year
West Midlands based recycling company Mason Metals has begun operating as an Aggregation Centre for Novelis Recycling, the world’s leading aluminium can recycler
West Midlands based recycling company Mason Metals has begun operating as an Aggregation Centre for Novelis Recycling, the world’s leading aluminium can recycler, taking on a key role in the company’s drive to develop the UK’s collection infrastructure for used aluminium drink cans and becoming the second new Novelis Aggregation Centre to open this year.
Mason Metals, which celebrates 50 years in business this year, has branches in Dudley and Halesowen with the main recycling centre operating at the Halesowen premises.
Novelis Recycling buys used aluminium drink cans collected by waste management companies, local authorities and secondary metal dealers throughout the UK. The cans are recycled by Novelis at its dedicated used beverage can recycling plant in Warrington, Cheshire, which produces ingots of recycled metal. These ingots are then rolled into the sheet used by customers in the beverage can manufacturing industry. The recycling process saves 95% of the energy and 97% of the associated greenhouse gas emissions compared to manufacturing aluminium from its raw materials. To maximise the efficiency of the system that delivers cans to the Warrington plant, Novelis Recycling has established a network of regional Aggregation Centres around the UK, so that delivery is only a local journey for suppliers, wherever they are based.
As the Aggregation Centre for the Midlands, Mason Metals accepts loads of over 250kg, which can be delivered either baled or loose. The cans are checked to ensure they meet the Novelis specification and baled if necessary. The company then transports the cans on to the Novelis plant in Warrington for reprocessing.
Novelis Recycling established the regional Aggregation Centre network to improve operational efficiencies for its suppliers, and so make the business of aluminium can recycling easier and more attractive. This year has seen an expansion in the network, bringing the number of centres to 8 in total.
Novelis Recycling Commercial Manager Keith Guest explains: “Used drink cans represent only a small fraction of the waste stream, and many of our suppliers are small businesses or community enterprises who would not find can recycling viable if they had to store material until they had a sufficient quantity to deliver to us in Warrington. Having a regional point that accepts smaller loads and can handle loose material has helped many recycling schemes become sustainable enterprises. There is also an additional benefit for the environment - having regional delivery points means that we are reducing transport miles and associated vehicle emissions. Our regional Aggregation Centres have been instrumental in the growth of aluminium can recycling in the UK and we are delighted to have been able to open two new centres this year – this one in the Midlands and a further centre in South Wales.”
Andrew Jones, director of Mason Metals says: “Becoming part of the Novelis Recycling network is a great opportunity for our organisation. Recycling is now part of our everyday lives and, as part of the collection infrastructure, we have the opportunity to contribute towards the success of local authorities, other businesses and the UK economy, as we all strive to achieve recycling targets set by government.”
“Mason Metals is a leading name in non-ferrous scrap metal recycling in the West Midlands. Our recycling centre is conveniently located and we offer a fast and friendly service and working with the world leader in aluminium recycling will enable us to develop our business further.” added Andrew.
For full details of the Novelis Recycling Aggregation Centre network go to www.novelisrecycling.co.uk.
Contact details for Mason Metals Recycling Centre – Halesowen Metals, Unit 10, Vernon Industrial Estate, Blackheath, Halesown, West Midlands B62 8HN, tel: 0121 559 1930
Opening hours – 7.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Thursday, 7.30 am to 4 pm Friday
