Aluminum cans seem to be everywhere, from cold, refreshing soft drinks to reliably stable canned fish and seafood. And this is so for many good reasons. Not only are aluminum cans cost effective and quality containers for manufacturers and consumers, but they are also an exceptional option when it comes to environmental friendliness. In some cases, aluminum cans have benefits that outweigh those of glass and plastic containers.
This article will explore the various advantages offered by aluminum cans, including overall and environmental-specific benefits.
Overall benefits of aluminum cans
Cost-Effectiveness
Aluminum cans are very cost-effective for manufacturers, which means they are also an affordable option for consumers. One of its cost efficiencies stems from the ease of production, allowing manufacturers to keep their expenses down. The raw materials are abundant, and recycling is just as easy a process as starting from scratch, so to speak. Aluminum is also lightweight, meaning that it costs less to transport when compared to glass, or even plastic in some cases, making aluminum cans that much more appealing as a container choice. And for both producers and consumers, aluminum cans have a durability unmatched by many other materials. They can keep out moisture, air, and light, meaning their contents can stay fresh for longer. Also, aluminum cans are less likely to shatter than glass containers, making them a safer and more economical choice for all involved.
Convenience
The characteristics discussed above also lend themselves to convenience for manufacturers, retailers, and buyers. Aluminum cans are easy to transport and store, so both store owners and consumers can make the most of their shelf space, whether it is in a warehouse, at a shop, or at home. Aluminum can designs can be flexible, so they can be made to be easily opened and closed, for even better storage and transport.
Because they are lightweight and portable, aluminum cans are often the preferred choice of consumers on the go. They do not want to be overloaded with heavy glass bottles that might break (and possibly injure them). And eco-conscious consumers understand the impact that plastic is having on their environment, so they may not want to take single-use plastic with them to the beach or the park. This is especially the case if they have the eco-friendlier option of aluminum cans.
Environmental benefits of aluminum cans
Recyclability
The raw material for aluminum cans is bauxite, which there is still plenty of in the world, making it already a potentially cheap medium for containers. However, the final aluminum product is 100% recyclable because the cans and containers can be melted down and almost fully reused as there is very little to no by-product. So, unlike plastic, glass, and even paper, aluminum cans can be a circular resource. Since the aluminum can be reused almost infinitely, there is less of a need to mine for the above-mentioned bauxite, reducing the environmental impact of digging up land for the raw materials. Furthermore, if the aluminum, for some reason, cannot be recycled into containers, it can be repurposed as frames for solar panels or even used as an energy source itself, such as in batteries or to generate hydrogen fuel.
Resource saving
With this recycling, the benefits are vast. Typically, recycling only takes 95% of the energy that it takes to make new cans, so that is an energy-saving bonus. This can also contribute to reducing carbon emissions and therefore carbon footprints, and there is also the saving of natural resources, from the bauxite left in the earth to the ecosystems left intact since no mining is necessary.
Aside from the recycling benefits, aluminum cans, however they are made, also have intrinsic benefits. The production process uses less water compared to glass, plastic, and other materials used for containers, so it is a more sustainable choice in regards to conservation. This is also true for pollution potential – glass and plastic production contribute significantly more to causing acid rain and depleting bodies of water of oxygen. Furthermore, because aluminum weighs less and can be efficiently packaged, there are fewer emissions and reduced fuel use in transporting these containers.
Waste reduction
Along with resource savings, aluminum cans can reduce a lot of waste accumulation. Just the fact that it is 100% recyclable means that people will be less likely to send aluminum cans to landfills. And where people can monetize their aluminum can recycling, cans will not become litter as much as plastic or glass. To continue along these lines, aluminum will also be less likely to end up in our waters. Furthermore, aluminum can production, recycling, or otherwise, affects the environment less than glass or plastic. Glass and plastic production use more energy and resources and, therefore, tends to produce more greenhouse gases. Also, as touched upon in an earlier section, aluminum can be repurposed for many uses, such as building materials.
Thai Beverage Can knows the benefits of aluminum cans
This article covers only some of the major benefits of aluminum cans. There are other advantages depending on the type of container and targeted ecologic and economical impacts that can reveal even more about what a boon aluminum cans are to manufacturers looking for a cost-effective container that is also appealing to consumers. Thai Beverage Can (TBC) can speak with experience and authority on these topics.
TBC manufactures a wide range of aluminum packaging, providing world-class products for customers across industries. Along with beverage cans and can ends, customers can also avail themselves of TBC’s other services, such as research and development, technical support, and printing and labeling. TBC is actively committed to best practices for sustainable operations and products. The company uses the latest technologies to achieve these sustainable goals, and it promotes and encourages sustainability among stakeholders, customers, and consumers. TBC participates in Thailand’s Aluminum Loop initiatives of recycling campaigns and collection points across the country. Joining other industry partners, TBC signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as part of its vision to implement a fully closed loop aluminum can manufacturing process, thereby making a significant contribution to the nation’s conservation efforts.