What Are the Benefits of Using Aluminum Soda Cans Vs. Plastic?

According to the Can Manufacturers Institute in 2006, every minute the United States recycles approximately 105,784 aluminum cans. When all facts are considered, it seem aluminum cans are the better choice over plastic bottles.

Reusable

• Aluminum cans are easily recycled into more cans repeatedly without losing integrity. On the other hand, plastic bottles recycled repeatedly continue to lower in quality after each process. Instead, recycled plastic is used to produce carpeting, flower pots and trash cans.

Costs

• Because aluminum can be recycled infinitely, manufacturing costs are lowered. Aluminum is made from mined bauxite--a mineral ore. Using recycled aluminum eliminates the costs of mining the bauxite and transporting it to industries.

Energy

• Recycling aluminum cans requires less energy than plastic bottles, and a great amount of energy is saved when using recycled aluminum. Its use for production consumes about 95 percent less energy than when using mined bauxite, cites the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. According to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, one recycled aluminum can saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 3.5 hours.

Other Benefits

• Recycled aluminum also saves the ecosystem of the rainforests where bauxite is mined and reduces air pollution and hazardous wastes released from the process of mining and manufacturing.

Plastic Bottles

• Unlike aluminum cans, not all plastic bottles can be recycled. Other disadvantages include more difficult recycling procedures, less strong containers and use of harmful chemicals. The Oklahoma DEQ states five out of the six chemicals deemed most hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency are used in manufacturing plastic.