Emissions caused from transporting and refrigerating aluminium cans are lower than plastic and glass equivalents, finds new study

A new study conducted by ICF International for the Aluminum Association finds that combined greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused from the transformation and refrigeration of beverages in aluminium cans are lower than that of beverages in glass or plastic bottles under the same external conditions.

Taking into account a unit of per liter beverage, the study finds that, emissions caused from transporting and refrigerating aluminium cans are 7 to 21per cent lower than plastic bottles and 35 to 49 per cent lower than glass bottles. The results vary within the mentioned ranges according to the size of the comparative bottles and the types of refrigerators in which beverage is stored before consumption.

On the basis of per container, emissions from beverage packaged in a 12-oz aluminium can is 45 percent lower than in a 12-oz glass bottle and 49 percent lower than in a 20-oz plastic bottle.  This is found when the beverage is delivered and chilled in small markets and convenience stores.

Key findings: 

•  Transportation: Aluminium cans offer space efficiency and lower packaging weight during transportation and result in 35% lower emissions than glass bottles on a per ounce basis.
•  Refrigeration: Aluminium cans offer better space efficiency during beverage cooling and cause lower GHG emissions compared to both glass bottles and plastic bottles. The largest GHG emissions savings are observed in supermarket refrigerators.

The study was conducted taking into account two standard units, the standard serving size for each container, which can vary, and as a per-ounce equivalent. In both scenarios, the aluminium can offered higher packaging and cooling efficiencies because of its shape, dimensions, weight and material and consumed less energy and caused lesser emission.

Commenting on the study report, Heidi Brock, President & CEO of the Aluminum Association said, “As the world focuses on low-carbon solutions, it is important to understand where the opportunities are to make a real difference...The study underscores the advantages of the aluminium can when it comes to sustainability.”

The study aims to provide better insight into the lifecycle GHG impacts by analyzing the energy consumption and carbon emission caused from the transportation and refrigeration of aluminium beverage containers in comparison to other beverage containers. A number of studies have already been done on the production and recycling of beverage cans but the new study analyses the emissions associated with the service life of the product during the “use phase.”

Referring to the study Marian Van Pelt, Vice President at ICF International said, “As more attention is paid to carbon emissions associated with the entire value chain of a product, the Aluminum Association asked ICF to look at the carbon footprint of a beverage container’s use phase.” “Across all scenarios studied, aluminium has lower associated use-phase emissions than comparable glass or plastic containers,” he added.

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