Canned or bottled water?
We want consumers to make informed decisions. That’s why we encourage you to decide!
Canned or Bottled Water?
Both canned and plastic packaging can have environmental impacts, but plastic bottles generally have a greater environmental footprint. Plastic bottles are a major contributor to plastic pollution, and they take hundreds of years to decompose in the environment. Additionally, the production, transportation and disposal of plastic bottles requires significant amounts of energy and resources.
Aluminum cans, on the other hand, are more easily recyclable and have a smaller environmental footprint compared to plastic bottles. According to the Aluminum Association, over 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today and recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing new aluminum.
However, it's important to note that the environmental impact of these packaging options also depends on the location of manufacturing, sourcing of raw materials, transportation and recycling rate. For example, if bottled water is produced and consumed locally and the recycling rate is high, it would have a lower environmental impact than a similar amount of water packaged in cans that are transported from a distant location and not recycled.
What do we think?
At Shapiro, we prioritize the recycling of aluminum cans over plastic bottles. Aluminum cans have a higher scrap value and are in high demand for their use in a wide range of products. Additionally, aluminum cans are easier to recycle and can be recycled into new cans without losing quality.
The recycling process for aluminum is straightforward and efficient, and it uses 95% less energy than producing new aluminum. This not only helps to conserve natural resources but also makes it a cost-effective option for us.
In contrast, plastic bottles are less valuable and in lower demand than aluminum cans. These bottles are made from various types of plastic, which makes it difficult to recycle them, and they are often not accepted at curbside recycling programs. It also requires more energy to recycle plastic bottles than aluminum cans.
At Shapiro, we strive to make the recycling process as efficient as possible while maximizing the value of the materials we collect.
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