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Aluminum can continues to be the more sustainable beverage package

Issued at 2015-01-14



A new report was completed by environmental research firm PE International and updates a full life cycle assessment (LCA) study released in 2010 called Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Aluminum Beverage Cans. The updated data is based on a survey of can sheet producers and can manufacturers representing nearly 100 percent of production in 2012 in the United States and Canada.  

The report shows that an aluminum can made in the U.S. and Canada today as improved its carbon footprint by 20 percent and requires 14 percent less energy to manufacture. The aluminium can contains 70 percent recycled content on average in every can produced in the US, at least three times U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates of the recycled content in glass (23 percent) and plastic/PET (3 percent) bottles. Moreover, the can is 2 percent lighter (13.34 grams -> 13.04 grams), and remains the lightest beverage package option available. Less material means less fuel for transport and less waste, creating less environmental impact.

The report models aluminum can production using two different LCA methods – the "Avoided Burden" or "Closed Loop" approach and the "Recycled Content" approach. Under both scenarios, the can has made significant progress improving its environmental performance. Increased energy efficiency across the industry as well as engineering enhancements to the can and more recycling all helped drive the improved performance. 


Source: Aluplanet



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