Plastic recycling, as it’s commonly portrayed, is largely an illusion. The reality is that most plastic can no longer be profitably recycled. Modern recycling facilities frequently end up sending plastic straight to landfills because attempting to recycle it would be financially unsustainable. According to environmental economists, simply disposing of plastic in the trash may even have a smaller carbon footprint than attempting to process it, as fewer transportation and processing resources are required. This grim reality contrasts sharply with metals like aluminum, which are far more sustainable; in fact, more than three-quarters of all aluminum ever produced since the late 19th century is still in use today.

If the current trajectory of plastic production and disposal continues unchecked, it’s predicted that by 2050, the weight of plastic in the oceans could surpass the combined mass of all fish. The scale of the problem is staggering and calls for immediate action, yet it also highlights the limitations of conventional recycling systems for plastic.

Aluminum cans, on the other hand, present a much more environmentally viable alternative. Beverage cans, including those used by many companies, feature an ultra-thin internal coating that ensures product safety and taste. This lining, which is made from food-grade polymer approved by the FDA, is almost microscopic—roughly twenty times thinner than a sheet of paper. It uses far less plastic than even the caps and labels of glass bottles, and nearly ninety times less than a typical plastic bottle. No harmful chemicals like BPA are involved, and during recycling, the lining is completely melted down and broken apart, leaving virtually no residue behind. Unlike plastic bottles, these cans don’t accumulate in landfills or the oceans.

Microplastic contamination is another area where aluminum excels. The internal coating of aluminum cans is chemically bonded to the metal and does not shed particles during normal use. In contrast, bottled water studies have shown alarming quantities of microplastics—on the order of hundreds of thousands of tiny particles per liter. Even glass bottles, often assumed to be safer, have been found to contribute significant microplastic contamination due to flaking caps and labels.

While aluminum cans aren’t a complete solution to the global plastic crisis, they represent a meaningful step toward reducing reliance on single-use plastics. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and maintains the highest recycling rates among all common packaging materials, far surpassing both glass and plastic. By choosing aluminum over plastic, consumers can help mitigate the overwhelming pollution problem that threatens aquatic ecosystems.