Why a can? More than just a container.

When it comes to beverage containers, there are many options to choose from: glass bottles, PET bottles, cartons, cans, etc. The aluminum can is more than just a practical container; it offers a range of technical, environmental, and logistical advantages. What makes the can so special? What should you look out for when buying beverage cans?

Endlessly recyclable: The true circular economy miracle  

Aluminum is a true recycling marvel. It can be melted down and reprocessed again and again without losing quality. Every beverage can can thus be transformed from a scrap metal container back onto the shelf in no time at all, as a new, sturdy, high-quality, and sustainable can.  

In Europe, the recycling rate for beverage cans is around 76% (as of 2023), and in Germany it's even over 90%. This makes the can a pioneer in a functioning circular economy. Even better: Recycling saves up to 95% of the energy compared to producing new cans, thus significantly reducing CO2 emissions.  

Less weight, fewer emissions  

Compared to glass or PET bottles, the aluminum can is truly lightweight. This not only reduces material usage, but also transportation costs and fuel consumption.  

According to a study by Metal Packaging Europe (2021), an aluminum can causes on average less CO2 emissions than single-use plastic bottles and significantly less than glass.  

Thanks to their stackable, space-saving shape, cans are also particularly efficient in logistics: less volume, less weight, more containers per transport.  

 

Protection, freshness & quality  

Aluminum cans are opaque to light and air, which optimally protects beverages and extends their shelf life. In particular, the protection from UV radiation prevents changes in taste and preserves sensitive ingredients such as vitamins, essential oils, and natural flavorings.  

Another advantage: The inner lining of modern cans is BPA-free. This ensures that the taste remains unaltered and you can enjoy your drink without worry.  

Previously, beverage cans were criticized because traces of aluminum or BPA from coatings were discussed in connection with acidic drinks. Today, the beverage typically doesn't come into contact with the metal at all, as a food-grade inner coating acts as a barrier; moreover, the industry is relying on BPA-free or BPA-NI coatings. In the EU, BPA has been generally banned in food contact materials since January 20, 2025, with transition periods for certain applications, which further accelerates the switchover.

 

Safe, practical and usable anywhere  

Glass ban? No problem!  

Aluminum cans are the smart alternative where glass is too risky or impractical, for example in spas, sailing, at festivals, during sports, at the beach, and much more. They are shatterproof, lightweight, and therefore perfect for travel, outdoor activities, and events.  

They also impress in terms of handling: cans are hygienic, cool down quickly and can easily be returned to the recycling loop.  

Market trend: Why more and more brands are turning to cans

Aluminum cans are lightweight, shatterproof, and reliably protect their contents and flavor from light and oxygen. Their low weight and good stackability reduce emissions during transport, and if collected correctly, they can be melted down again and again, ideally with a high recycled content. However, the recycling process is not yet perfect: primary aluminum is often still needed for the lid, and paints/coatings cannot yet be fully recycled.

The market nevertheless shows a clear trend: In Germany, the volume of non-alcoholic beverages in cans has grown significantly in recent years, driven by convenience, new consumption occasions (e.g., where glass is prohibited), and social media aesthetics. In brief: fritz-kola is testing a limited-edition 0.33-liter can in Hamburg, primarily for glass-free zones, due to a low return rate of reusable bottles; simultaneously, the brand is calling for higher deposit rates for reusable glass and emphasizes that glass remains the first choice where the system works. Ultimately, cans can be a useful addition, especially in contexts where glass encounters safety regulations or system limitations, while we should also be working on improving return rates, increasing deposit incentives, and making material improvements.

Other brands are also going into cans (in addition to bottles): Powerade is available in 0.33-liter cans in German stores, including wholesalers and online retailers. Lemonaid and ChariTea have also been available in 0.33-liter cans since summer 2025.

Glass vs. aluminum can, a direct comparison

Aluminum cans and glass bottles each have distinct advantages: Cans are lightweight, shatterproof, and space-saving, offering benefits for logistics and emissions when traveling, at events, or during long-distance deliveries. They reliably protect the contents from light and oxygen and cool down quickly. Glass scores points with its premium feel and taste-neutral, chemically inert surface; with a screw cap, it can also be resealed. From an environmental perspective, cans perform well in efficient single-use recycling, while glass is particularly compelling when reused multiple times in regional, short-distance reusable systems. Single-use glass tends to be at a disadvantage due to its weight and melting energy, but remains a good choice for products that benefit from a premium feel and reusability. In short: For mobile use, outdoor activities, and long-distance logistics, cans are the clear winner; for local, short-distance reusable systems, glass bottles remain a sensible alternative.

PET bottle vs. aluminum can: a direct comparison

PET bottles are also widely used as beverage containers: they are lightweight, shatterproof, and relatively inexpensive to produce. In many segments (e.g., water, soft drinks), they have therefore dominated the market for years. Nevertheless, PET bottles and aluminum cans differ in detail.

Both types of containers are lightweight and therefore efficient to transport. PET bottles are easy to squeeze and are particularly practical for everyday use, especially when dealing with large volumes or sports caps. However, PET is based on fossil fuels, and recycling often results in downcycling into other applications; not every returned bottle becomes a food bottle again. Discussions about microplastics and the release of plastic into the environment remain additional challenges.

The aluminum can scores points here with its closed metal cycle: it can be melted down again and again to make new beverage cans without any loss of quality. The material's value ensures that cans are returned very reliably in deposit systems, and thanks to its complete light and oxygen barrier, the contents remain exceptionally well protected.

In short: The PET bottle is a very lightweight and practical container when it comes to functionality and price. The can demonstrates its strengths primarily in product protection, recyclability, and circularity, especially where lightness, shatter resistance, and a high-quality appearance are required.

Aluminum, the material of the future  

Aluminum is enjoying increasing popularity, and for good reason: it is lightweight, dimensionally stable, and has excellent thermal conductivity. Beverages in cans not only cool faster, but they also stay fresh longer. At the same time, modern cans are thinner and more resource-efficient than ever before, without sacrificing strength.  

The industry is also constantly working on new coatings and recycling methods to further improve its environmental footprint. The goal: closed-loop systems and 100% recycled material.  

Small, strong, sustainable  

The aluminum can is far more than just packaging; it's a symbol of modern sustainability. It protects what's good, conserves resources, and looks damn good to boot.  

Aluminium impresses with its properties and shows that sustainability doesn't have to be complicated, but simply a matter of clever thinking.