Can makers and their suppliers have been focusing on and prioritizing sustainability long before sustainability was a buzz word or a business strategy. In fact, sustainability and recycling have been part of the can manufacturing industry ever since the 1930s when recycling cans was fundamental for supplying metal to the war effort. The can manufacturing industry has built on its legacy of sustainability by committing to lightweighting, the minimization of water, energy and virgin material inputs, as well as the investment of millions of dollars into consumer recycling education programs. We’re proud to report that 105,800 cans are recycled every minute in the United States.
Food and beverage cans are endlessly recyclable, which means that every part of a can can be recycled again and again, forever. Cans are the most recycled food and beverage containers in the United States. In fact, nearly 75% of all aluminum and 80% of all steel ever produced is still in use today. Cans can be recycled and back on store shelves in as little as 60 days. This greatly reduces the amount of material going to landfills and keeps metal in an infinite loop.