Aluminium beverage cans have superior environmental performance: Study

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) compared the environmental sustainability of aluminium cans, glass bottles, PET plastic bottles and multi-layer packaging (MLP)

A recent study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), a first-of-its-kind in India, comparing the most used beverage packaging substrates, shows that aluminium cans support a fully circular economy and majority of them have the least Global Warming Potential (GWP).

‘Sustainable Beverage Packaging Options in India: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Study’ commissioned by Ball Beverage Packaging, India was presented to Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, in New Delhi on June 13.

The study is of particular significance since the growing demand for packaging solutions is also steering the focus towards their environmental sustainability. The findings of the study highlight the need to enhance circular systems, increase the focus on recycled content as far as technologically feasible, and maximizing refill cycles of bottles designed for reuse.

The study assessed 250 ml and 500 ml aluminium cans; 200 ml, 600 ml and 750 ml PET bottles; 200 ml, 330 ml and 650 ml glass bottles; and 200 ml MLP cartons. In its 500 ml form, aluminium cans, already the world’s most recycled drinks container, averaging 69% globally and 85% in India, performed best in multiple impact categories, in particular because of its recyclability, high recycled content and light weight.

Image caption- Representatives from TERI and Ball Corporation led by Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, presenting the study to Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change