The (Aluminum) Cans and Cannots

Ever wonder just how much effort, resources, and sacrifice went into creating the last aluminum can you drank out of?

One of the major tenets of sustainable living that completely altered my perspective has been attempting to use a cradle-to-grave approach for each item (give or take a lot- let’s be honest) that I obtain and dispose of. Life-cycle analysis is often used as a technique to assess the environmental impacts of an item, not merely when it enters the landfill (or hopefully doesn’t), but throughout each stage of its life from “cradle” to “grave.”

This approach lets you look at the bigger picture to see the entire web of processes, costs, and consequences that an item can have instead of just a price tag.

It’s easy to throw away an aluminum can without thinking twice when it’s just that- a can.

But if you start thinking about the people who had to mine the ore from open pits in Brazil; the animals and plants negatively affected through polluting byproducts and the destruction of their habitats; and the consequences of the transportation and manufacturing powered by fossil fuels, it might be a little bit harder.

It seems like each step of the way, harm stems from the production of each item.

So, do you still think it was really worth it for that Diet Coke?

Of course, it’s easier not to think about it. But, it’s important to not shy away from the problem, instead letting it motivate you to treat the aluminum can as so much more than just a piece of trash.

Once you do that, recycling seems like a no-brainer, and you might even find it useful in other contexts as well. In this modern world, we’re so distanced from the creation of the items we use, both geographically as well as emotionally, that it’s nice to step back and really view it in the context of the whole system. It makes you appreciate the little things more, regardless of your concern for the environmental implications.

If you’re interested, check out this thorough life-cycle impact assessment of aluminum beverage cans, but I’ll save you some time and give you the cliff-notes version.

According to Global Stewards, the production of a single aluminum can requires more than 60 different raw and processed materials and creates more than 75 different pollutants.

And we will probably use it for all of twenty minutes before throwing it away?

That brings me to my next point- RECYCLE YOUR ALUMINUM CANS!

While recycling certain substances can be nearly as energy intensive as making an entirely new product, that is FAR from being the case with aluminum. This is in large part due to the fact that aluminum can recycling is a closed loop system (meaning it never has to end up in a landfill), whereas plastic and glass are often “downcycled” into lower grade products again and again until they end up in a landfill.

According to the Aluminum Association, producing a recycled aluminum can requiresonly 8% of the energy that it would take to make a can from virgin aluminum. I’ll let that sink in for a second.

If that’s not enough to get you excited about aluminum, consider the fact that the PBR your friend shotgunned last night could be recycled and back on the shelf in the form of a LaCroix can within 60 days. Please tell me you’re impressed by that because I’m definitely freaking out about it.

Ultimately, whether you choose to apply it to recycling or just appreciating the little things more, I hope that the full life-cycle analysis approach brings you a new perspective that can evoke empathy and gratitude in everything that you purchase and dispose of.

So, next time you’re going to throw something away, think about all the resources it took to create that item and all the people, places, animals, and plants that might have been negatively impacted along the way.

Happy recycling!

S.