New Report Shows Notable Dip in Carbon Footprint of Aluminum Cans

Incidentally, recycling a single could lead to savings of 1.56 megajoules of energy.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study by Sphera suggests huge decline in the carbon footprint of aluminum cans made in North America. The footprint has dropped by nearly 50% over the past three decades.

According to the report, greenhouse gas emission from production of aluminum beverage cans has dropped by more than 40% since 1991 and 7% since 2012. The energy demand too has declined by similar levels over the same period. The lighter cans, increased efficiency of manufacturing operations and reduced carbon intensity of primary aluminum production in the region are considered as the main drivers behind the emission reduction.

The report notes that improved recycling rates and increasing the use of recycled material in production could help in reducing the environmental impact of aluminum can production even further. Incidentally, recycling a single could lead to savings of 1.56 megajoules of energy.

Furthermore, the sourcing of raw material has a significant impact on the sustainability of aluminum can production. Though primary aluminum accounts for only 26.6% of the can, it is considered as the major source of the can’s carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of a beverage can undergoes dramatic changes, depending on the source of primary aluminum used in its production.

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