Preference for aluminum cans in South Korea appears to be steadily increasing, reflecting a gradual shift in choice toward more sustainable packaging solutions.

A recent survey conducted by the Seoul Korea Federation for Environmental Movements (KFEM), which included 1,011 respondents nationwide, highlights this trend. Released on March 18 to mark Global Recycling Day, the findings show that 34.7 per cent of participants selected aluminum cans as their preferred beverage packaging, representing a 10.8 percentage point increase compared to the previous year. 

While plastic bottles continue to rank highest at 43.4 per cent, the rising preference for aluminum cans suggests a growing inclination toward materials that are more environmentally sustainable.

Public understanding of environmental issues also appears to be strengthening. Nearly 8 out of 10 respondents recognised the importance of recycling materials without compromising their quality, particularly in the context of addressing climate change. At the same time, the survey indicates that there is still room to further enhance awareness about the long-term benefits of aluminum recycling. For instance, only about half of the respondents were aware that aluminum can be recycled indefinitely without any loss in quality. 

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Additionally, 63.1 per cent of participants were unaware that recycling aluminum can reduce carbon emissions by up to 95 per cent compared to producing new aluminum from raw materials, suggesting opportunities for expanding public education efforts.

In terms of behaviour, recycling practices are already widely adopted. More than 80 per cent of respondents reported that they separate aluminum cans from other waste, demonstrating a strong foundation for effective recycling systems. However, some practical challenges remain, including limited space, inconvenience in disposal systems, and uncertainty about how recycled materials are processed.

Encouragingly, there is significant public support for further improvements. Over 70 per cent of respondents expressed support for installing collection machines linked to deposit-return systems, as well as for policies that would require companies to disclose the proportion of recycled materials used in their products.

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In the previous year’s survey, where 79.3 per cent supported the introduction of a deposit system, and 89.1 per cent indicated willingness to purchase products made with more than 80 per cent recycled aluminium.

Building on these findings, environmental groups have suggested measures such as setting clear targets for “can-to-can” recycling, expanding collection infrastructure, and promoting greater transparency in the use of recycled materials. These steps could further strengthen South Korea’s ongoing efforts toward a more sustainable recycling system, said Lee Dong-yi, secretary-general of the Seoul KFEM.