Welcome to the Solutions Database,
a guide to technologies, strategies, and best practices for reducing plastic waste

• High closed loop recycling potential: Steel cans have one of the highest rates of packaging recycling at a reported 70.9% in 2018 although some industry sources suggest this figure could be lower (13)(18). The total recycling rate of all aluminium packaging was 34.9% in 2018; however, the specific rate for beer and soft drink containers was 50.4% (13). The International Aluminium Institute estimates that 75% of aluminium ever produced is still in use today (11).
• High recycled content potential: Steel food cans have recycled content of up to 35 percent with current technology (11). An average aluminium can in the U.S. is made of 73% recycled content (14). Aluminum has a theoretical recycled content limit of around 90% (3).
• Long-life food storage: The fact that many canned foods do not require refrigeration before opening reduces relative environmental impacts for food storage. Commercially canned food retains quality and taste for between two to five years, all without a cold chain, meaning significant energy savings. Canned food uses 20% less energy than refrigerated food and 51% less energy than frozen food (11). Canned food also maintains its high quality over time without any preservatives. The high heat process and airtight seal lock in the product’s quality while locking out germs, air, light and other elements that degrade product quality.
• Recycling value and circularity: Some industry studies provide data that the relatively high market value of cans provide vital revenue to the recycling system, providing better financial support than other materials (11). In addition, an industry analysis of aluminum cans shows high rates of potential circularity (11).

• Source recycled and/or low carbon metals: The environmental footprint of a ton of aluminium or steel varies significantly depending on its level of recycled content and the details of the process that was used to manufacture it. Food can production with recycled steel can result in 75% less GHG emissions than making food cans with virgin steel (11). Aluminium production is a high-energy process and low-carbon producers draw heavily on renewable energy sources and invest to optimize their systems. Buyers of metals are increasingly demanding recycled and/or low carbon metals, which drives positive changes throughout the supply chain.
• Monitor recycling rates: The environmental performance of a metal can is highly dependent on whether it is actually recycled after use, helping to prevent more virgin metal production. Bauxite and iron ore mining for primary metals has well-documented and extensive negative environmental impacts. Users of metals should therefore monitor actual recycling rates through EPA and other industry data (13). Similarly, understanding the acceptability in recycling programs and the actual recycling rate of the package format is critical to leveraging the benefits of metals.
• Monitor virgin metal suppliers’ sourcing standards: Using virgin metal content can have impacts on GHG, biodiversity and other impact areas through its mining and processing phases. Since some primary aluminium is still required in packaging production, aluminium producers should engage with their upstream suppliers to ensure proper standards are being met in minimizing the impacts of bauxite mining. The metals industry has developed guidelines and certifications to minimize these impacts (5)(16).
• Avoid material additions such as labels: Shrink-wrapped labels and other types of pressure- sensitive stickers used on metal packaging, especially cans, can have detrimental impacts on the recycling system (17).

• Improving recovery and recycling: Recycled steel and aluminium have a high potential to displace primary production, as long as the collection infrastructure and systems are in place to provide a reliable supply of secondary materials that meet the specifications. An effective recovery system for all materials is an essential ingredient for the success of all packaging materials. Investment in collection and processing infrastructure, supporting policies, and better education and infrastructure are needed to improve the fate of end-of-life steel and aluminium (and all materials in the recycling system) (6).
• Increasing recycled content levels to address environmental impacts: Seeking or requiring the highest feasible recycled content in cans is an important way to reduce potential environmental impacts from a substitution decision. The collection, sorting, cleaning, and recycling process requires a fraction of the environmental costs associated with producing virgin aluminium (3). The relative energy savings from recycling aluminium far exceed those from recycling paper, glass, and most other materials in the waste stream (4).
• Reduction in primary metal content: To maximize the potential for aluminium as a fully circular packaging material, total primary aluminium demand must decrease with increased recycling rates. This requires coordination across the aluminium value chain to expand the recovery of high-value secondary materials that can ultimately reduce primary aluminium production. The complete removal of primary aluminium from the system is technically possible if manufacturers can create a uni-alloy or adjust the alloy composition using aluminium scrap with the right alloy properties to reach a 100% recycled content aluminium can. However, there are economic and supply challenges to overcome (3).
• Impacts from deposit systems: Deposit recovery schemes apply to a varying range of aluminium-packaged products around the world and substantially boost overall aluminium can recovery. Whether or not a can is subject to deposit is consequential to its chances of being recycled and, by extension, to the relative environmental impacts of the package (23).
• Return schemes: Metal cans have the potential to be used in reusable packaging systems. Companies are encouraged to conduct additional research to understand the system conditions needed to drive return schemes.

Ryohin Keikaku: In Japan, Ryohin Keikaku Co which sells 12 products on tea and sodas has shifted their packaging from plastic to aluminum can since 2021. According to Japan recycling association, the recycling rate for aluminium can reach to 71%, which is higher than that of plastic bottle (24,3%) in Japan. The shift to aluminum can also in turn prolong the shelf-life of the product. According to Japanese retailers, it could prolong soda beverage's shelf-life from 90 to 270 days compared to the plastic bottle products.