Aluminum Bottles – A Greener, More Cost Effective Container?
While some beverage makers may balk at an aluminum bottle (it is a little difficult to see the beverage when the bottle isn’t glass.), it does make for a much greener manufacturing process all the way around.
- In more rural areas, it is virtually impossible to recycle glass in an environmentally or economically efficient way.
- Aluminum bottles would also help recyclers by increasing the volume of aluminum they recycle.
- Most bottles include a paper label which only impedes the recycling process.
I know there have to be negative aspects to aluminum bottles and I’m interested in your thoughts. What possible downsides do you see to aluminum bottles?
Tags: aluminum cans, glass, recycling
July 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
I look at the biggest obstacle as public perception, understanding and adoption. Even with my level of knowledge, it’s tough to envision an icy cold beverage after work in an aluminum bottle. With that said, everything else compels me to purchase beverages in aluminum containers.
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks.
July 17th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
One of the local micro brews uses aluminum bottles for some of its beer. They said the equipment and initial setup is expensive as well as the bottles themselves. They have had some supply issues with bottle stock and caps. Of course there is a learning curve to the new machinery. They put a cool looking label on them and the product sells well. The bottles are considerably heavier than cans and therefore have greater recycle value and are fully compatible with cans for recycling. On the other hand, if they don’t get recycled, more material is lost to roadsides and landfills. Whats wrong with just using cans for more products?
July 21st, 2009 at 6:46 am
I’ve noticed several beer companies using aluminum bottles for a couple of years now. With scrap aluminum being so much more valuable than scrap plastics the change can’t help but be positive.