Inside the Can Industry: Recycling, Tariffs, and the Future of Metal Packaging

Guest: Scott Breen, President, Can Manufacturers Institute
Host: Tim Ridderbos, VP at Shapiro

What happens when one of the most widely used (and most recyclable) packages in the world collides with trade policy, infrastructure gaps, and rising consumer costs?

In this episode of 5 for Five, Shapiro’s Tim Ridderbos sits down with Scott Breen, President of the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), to explore how metal cans sit at the intersection of sustainability, manufacturing, recycling systems, and food security. From aluminum recycling targets to steel tariffs and MRF sortation challenges, Scott breaks down what’s really happening behind the can and what needs to change.

“We actually make a little more than a quarter million metal cans every minute in the United States.” — Scott Breen, Can Manufacturers Institute

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Time Stamps:
00:10 – Who is Scott Breen?
01:38 – What is the Can Manufacturers Institute?
03:27 – How many cans are made every minute in the U.S.
04:06 – Aluminum recycling rates and why 43% isn’t enough
05:40 – Deposit return systems and recycling refunds
07:03 – How steel and aluminum tariffs impact can makers
08:54 – Tinplate steel, imports, and grocery store prices
10:28 – Fixing aluminum can losses at MRFs
12:01 – “Cans paying for themselves” through revenue sharing

From Environmental Law to Industry Leadership

Scott’s path to leading CMI began far from manufacturing. His interest in environmental protection started early and eventually led him through environmental law, public affairs, and corporate sustainability before arriving at the can industry.

“I am an association executive that started as an environmental lawyer.”

That background shapes how he approaches the industry today with balancing environmental outcomes, economic realities, and policy engagement. Since becoming president of CMI last June, Scott has led the organization through a new strategic framework while spending significant time visiting member facilities and engaging policymakers.

One thing he consistently hears from members:

“They appreciate that we are their voice in Washington DC and with the media.”

What the Can Manufacturers Institute Does

CMI represents U.S. metal can makers and their suppliers, which are the companies that make the cans and the materials that go into them.

“We represent US metal can makers and their suppliers… not so much the brands like Coke or Pepsi or General Mills.”

The organization focuses on trade and tariffs, sustainability, materials, advocacy, communications, and industry collaboration. At the center of that work is a clear mission:

“The mission is to spark collaboration that enhances the U.S. can industry's ability to compete.”

Aluminum Recycling: Leading, But Not Done

Aluminum beverage cans are the most recycled beverage container in the U.S. and globally, but Scott is clear that leadership doesn’t mean success.

“We're the most recycled beverage container in the United States with a 43 % recycling rate.”

That still means more than half of aluminum cans end up in landfills. In response, CMI members set long-term, measurable targets:

“We want to get that rate up… 70 % by 2030, 80 % by 2040, 90 % by 2050.”

The key driver to reaching those goals is policy-supported financial incentives:

“That financial incentive is key to getting up to the 70, 80, 90 % that we're talking about. You can't do it without that financial incentive.”

That’s why CMI strongly advocates for deposit return systems, also known as recycling refunds.

Fixing Recycling Where It Breaks: MRFs

One of the fastest ways to boost recycling rates isn’t changing consumer behavior. It's improving sorting at material recovery facilities.

“Up to one in four aluminum beverage cans is missorted at a MRF.”

CMI partnered with The Recycling Partnership and its members to fund new sorting equipment capable of capturing billions of additional cans. The newest evolution of that effort is a revenue-sharing model:

“We'll pay for this equipment… but you got to give us some percentage of the revenue from the cans captured so that we make our money back.”

Scott sums it up simply:

“It's a beautiful thing, cans paying for themselves.”

Tariffs, Tinplate, and Food Security

Steel and aluminum tariffs are having a significant impact on can manufacturing—especially steel cans made from tinplate.

“Only 1 % of all steel goes into making Tinplate.”

Because tinplate is such a specialized product, domestic supply is limited:

“We have to import nearly 80 % of the tin plate steel we're using to make steel cans in the United States.”

When tariffs on tinplate jumped from 25% to 50%, costs rose quickly. Since can makers are largely pass-through businesses, those costs often flow to brands and consumers.

“So like a $2 can of vegetables, 18 to 30 cent jump.”

Scott is direct about the implications:

“This jeopardizes U.S. food security.”

Why It Matters

Steel can manufacturing directly employs more than 7,000 people across 23 states, with thousands more jobs supported through customers and supply chains. Rising costs risk higher food prices, increased imports of canned foods, and shifts to less sustainable packaging.

CMI continues working with policymakers to find solutions that encourage domestic production while recognizing current supply realities.

“We want to partner with them and come up with a program that leads to more domestic tin plate production, but also recognizes the role imports play.”

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation shows how something as everyday as a can connects recycling systems, manufacturing jobs, trade policy, and food affordability. Improving sustainability outcomes isn’t just about material choice, It's about infrastructure, incentives, and collaboration across the value chain.

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