Aluminum can deemed most sustainable beverage container
As millions of Americans gear up for picnics, concerts, hikes and other outdoor activities this summer, a new report released today by the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute finds that aluminum beverage cans remain the best choice for environmentally-minded consumers.
According to the new report “The Aluminum Can Advantage: Key Sustainability Performance Indicators 2016,” consumers recycle aluminum beverage cans at rates 13-24 points higher than glass or plastic (PET) bottles. Aluminum cans also contain more than 3 times the amount of recycled content than glass or plastic at 70% on average. The study also found that the value of aluminum can scrap is more than 4 times that of plastic or glass. The high value of recycled aluminum material effectively subsidizes municipal recycling programs nationwide.