Aluminum vs Plastic Home > Beverage Can > Aluminum vs Plastic Plastic bottles rise in popularity Fifty years ago, the single-use plastic bottle was introduced as a lightweight and durable packaging solution primarily for beverages. The plastic bottle quickly became popular with consumers and manufacturers due to its resiliency and relatively low production and transportation costs. What was not accounted for was its long-term environmental impact at end of life. Growing environmental concern In recent years, a groundswell of negative publicity and consumer backlash has emerged against disposable plastic products, particularly bottles. Images of bottles overflowing landfills and adversely impacting ecosystems have soured consumers and drawn the ire of environmental organizations and activists worldwide. As a result, many are calling for increased government and industry intervention to address the growing problem. According to the Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, plastic drink bottles are the third most common type of waste item found on shorelines – behind cigarette butts and food wrappers. Novelis’ role in making a difference As the plastics and beverage industries work to address the issue by investing in new recycling technologies and waste management infrastructure, there is also an opportunity to reinforce the benefits of infinitely recyclable aluminum and to promote it as the model of sustainable packaging for bottled water and other beverages. As the world’s largest recycler of aluminum, Novelis has always been a champion of recycling and will continue working with all relevant stakeholders across companies, industries and governments, to increase recycling efforts and provide more sustainable packaging solutions to the beverage and can industries. Working with our customers In fact, Novelis is already working with many of its customers to determine how to sustainably provide the capacity and resources required to meet their growing beverage can and bottle needs. In addition, we support recycling education programs and collection centers that will ease the burden on landfills and help boost the economy by providing thousands of jobs. The advantages of aluminum are clear and Novelis is committed to supporting our customers by leveraging the benefits of aluminum to help curb the plastics epidemic and shape a sustainable world together. 1 The number of aluminum cans required to save enough energy to run a television or computer for 3 hours ∞ The number of times aluminum can be recycled 60 The number of days it takes for a used aluminum can to be recycled and returned, brand new, back on the shelf 74 Billion The number of used beverage cans Novelis recycles annually around the world 10,000 The number of locations in the US that buy aluminum, making it easy for Americans to redeem their used beverage cans for cash The Sustainable Solution Aluminum is the most sustainable solution for beverage packaging. At a time when single-use plastics are overflowing our landfills and hundreds of millions of PET bottles are washing up on our shorelines, we have an obligation to promote aluminum as the model of sustainable packaging for bottled water and other beverages. The advantages of aluminum are clear, and Novelis is committed to leveraging the benefits of aluminum to help curb the plastics epidemic and shape a sustainable world together. DOWNLOAD NOVELIS SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Make a Difference Here’s how you can impact change in your part of the world Carry Your Own Carry your own refillable, resealable aluminum water bottle wherever you go. Choose Aluminum Choose aluminum packaging when purchasing a favorite drink. Recycle Recycle your aluminum cans at recycling stations, knowing the infinitely recyclable metal can be 100% re-used. Contact Us Name* Email* Consent* I confirm that I have read and agree to the Novelis terms of use and privacy policy. Comments CAPTCHA SUBMIT Go to top of page Investors & Media Contact Us Suppliers Privacy Policy Terms of Use News & Resources Customer Login Certifications Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminum and copper and metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. FOLLOW US Not just aluminum, Novelis Aluminum.™ This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using this site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. Read our Privacy Policy to learn more. Agree and dismiss. Notifications