Not all aluminum can types are created equally recyclable, as there are a few differences in the materials of the makeup and coatings. Most beverage cans are made of a high-grade aluminum alloy and thus completely recyclable, but specialty cans often have mixed materials that make sorting-and thus recycling-difficult. According to the Aluminum Association, the global recycling rate for aluminum cans is more than 65%, adding that the material is 100% recyclable, with no degradation of quality.
Standard beverage cans are essentially made of the 3004 aluminum alloy, prized for their lightweight and strong properties. They are easily processed in recycling facilities, where they melt and reform into new products within 60 days. In 2022 alone, over 42 billion cans were recycled in the United States, thus showing their stellar role in sustainable packaging.
But specialty cans, like those filled with foods requiring plastic liners or featuring mixed metal components, create some problems. For example, many aerosol cans have steel bases and plastic valves; this means an extra step in sorting. These specialty cans are recyclable, yet they take more energy and time, hence lowering efficiency.
Richard Branson once said, “Sustainability is no longer a choice but a business imperative.” That underlines the reason behind designing recyclable packaging. Similarly, beverage companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have moved to easily recyclable aluminum cans to meet environmental goals for improving the rates of recycling.
Recycling of aluminum is an economically viable and ecologically feasible option, saves 95% of energy required to produce new aluminum from raw materials. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a single recycled can saves enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for 20 hours.
It is the type of aluminum that directly influences the recyclability of the products. Companies operating with pure alloys, like standard types of aluminum for cans, contribute more to circular economies. Their simplicity in design helps support the efficiency of processing, therefore enabling higher recycling rates to meet global sustainability targets.