BuzzBallz, colourful pre-mixed cocktails popular with young drinkers, are being criticised after recycling experts said their packaging cannot be recycled in the UK. The drinks combine a PET plastic sphere with an aluminium lid that cannot be separated, meaning they are unsuitable for kerbside collection and may contaminate other recycling streams.

The brand was named Britain’s fastest-growing alcohol brand in a 2026 industry ranking, while one Cardiff student said he drinks two to three BuzzBallz weekly during term time. BuzzBallz had stated online that its packaging was recyclable and referred to a TerraCycle partnership, but the company said this was a website error because the scheme operates only in the United States; the relevant UK web pages were removed after the BBC contacted it. Experts also said the round shape complicates sorting, as containers can roll on conveyor belts and be sent into the wrong waste stream.