You may have noticed a gradual change in the drinks section in stores. Beverage brands are replacing plastic bottles with smooth aluminium cans. And honestly, that is one of the most interesting sustainability changes occurring today.

Let us get down to the speed at which this change is coming on… and why you have a surprisingly great part to play in it.

It keeps beverages colder and fresher for longer

When brands reconsider their product presentation, they tend to do so behind the scenes. The change is hidden in corporate reports. But with packaging, you see the change as soon as you see or touch the product.

Aluminium cans cool quickly when you refrigerate them. In addition, they maintain the freshness for longer. Also, there is that rewarding crack when you open it, and with several brands, that immediately enhances the product.

The sensory upgrade is, however, only a piece of the cake. The actual motives of the change are much deeper.

It cuts down the carbon footprint of every drink

You do not have to be a sustainability professional to realize that the image of plastic is not doing so well. Ocean pollution. Microplastics. Landfills overflowing. Customers are environmentally conscious nowadays, and beverage firms cannot afford the criticism.

Plastic bottles can technically be recycled, yes, but in reality, they happen not to be. Most of them end up in landfills or burners due to the unstable plastic recycling markets. Brands know this. Governments know this. And you have most likely noticed it, too.

Aluminium is therefore at the forefront when companies seek packaging that matches the future regulations and consumer expectations.

Aluminium offers infinite, high-value recycling potential

It is here that the story becomes really exciting. Aluminium can be recycled infinitely without losing its quality. This is unlike plastic. What I mean is that the can you are now holding might turn into another can. And then into another, and so on. In short, forever.

Even better, recycling of aluminium consumes a small amount of energy. This is true compared to the energy required to extract new aluminium using the silicate raw materials. Those energy savings translate into lower carbon emissions. This is a great selling point for beverage brands.

The supply of aluminium cans has increased

One of the biggest bottlenecks of aluminium packaging a few years ago was the fact that the demand exceeded the production capacity. Beverage firms were willing to change, but they could not get a consistent supply of cans.

Nowadays, things have changed.

Canning plants have increased. New producers are coming into the market. Some big brands have directly invested in recycling infrastructure. Aluminium is now a sustainable and scalable choice.

This change is good news to smaller brands, specialty waters, craft drinks, and new energy beverages. They are now able to embrace the material without straining.

Final thoughts

With the current trend continuing to gain momentum, beverage aisles may appear much different in ten years. More aluminium. Less plastic. Cleaner recycling streams. Better climate outcomes. And packaging that really corresponds to the expectations of a more highly aware generation of customers like you.