Aluminum packaging looks very well-positioned in the new “green revolution”. Everything is going green these days – green computing, green buildings, green energy, and of course green packaging. According to the Aluminum Association, “the aluminum industry recovers approximately 54% of the aluminum containers produced in the U.S.” More significantly, the aluminum industry is targeting a 75% recycling rate by 2015 (see article text here).
This is really quite a significant target and a story that both consumers and packagers should really know. Most people would probably think that glass containers have better recycling rates than aluminum. In fact, according to the EPA, “only 22% of glass containers were recycled in 2003, as compared to 44% for aluminum cans.” The Container Recycling Institute reported that in 2006 aluminum recycling rates were at
45.2%, vs. 23.5% for PET plastic and 27.8% for glass.
Aluminum’s recyclability and sustainability are clear pluses for the environment, especially in this new environmentally-conscious US administration. We’re already seeing greater use of aluminum packaging in many new applications such as wine. So expect a lot more stories in this e-zine on aluminum as a green packaging material!
The new Soft Line Extreme range of aluminum consists of continuously threaded, leak-proof containers made out of indefinitely recyclable aluminum. They’re suitable for gels, creams, balms and many other products including toiletries, hair-care, creams, gels, clays, waxes, body butters, household goods, herbs, spices, powders, candles, polishes. We’re seeing more and more products from leading cosmetic and bath/body companies in aluminum!
Here’s another smooth wall plastic product –
Here’s an ideal package for talcum powder and other powdery products. Maybe it might even be good for salt? Maybe for some spices? I would imagine that with the proper lining, you could put a lot of products in this new package.
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