Plastic recycling has become more myth than reality. Nowadays, most plastic ends up in landfills rather than being truly recycled because the process is no longer economically viable. Recycling facilities would face financial ruin trying to process it, so throwing it away often requires less transportation and less energy than attempting to recycle it. Ironically, experts suggest that discarding plastic responsibly may, under current circumstances, be less harmful to the environment than sending it through a recycling system that ultimately fails. Meanwhile, materials like aluminum tell a very different story: over 75% of all aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in use today, a testament to its true recyclability and enduring value. The stakes are high, too—if global plastic pollution continues unabated, by 2050 the mass of plastic in the oceans could surpass the mass of all fish combined.

Aluminum cans, such as those used for infinitely recyclable beverages, solve several of these problems. Every can contains a microscopic liner made from FDA-approved, food-safe polymer. This ultra-thin coating is roughly 20 times thinner than a sheet of paper and has no negative impact on recyclability. In fact, it uses far less plastic than alternative containers: approximately 90 times less than a standard plastic bottle and about 10 times less than the combined plastic in a typical glass bottle’s cap and label. No BPAs are included, and the coating fully melts down during the recycling process, meaning it does not accumulate in landfills or oceans the way traditional plastic containers do.

The risk of microplastics from aluminum cans is extremely low. The liner is chemically bonded to the metal, preventing loose particles from contaminating beverages. In contrast, recent studies highlight the hidden plastic problem in bottled and even glass-packaged beverages. A 2024 NIH report found that a liter of bottled water contained roughly 240,000 tiny plastic fragments—far more than earlier studies suggested. A 2025 report also revealed that glass bottles can contribute to microplastic contamination due to cap degradation.

While aluminum cans alone cannot solve the global plastic crisis, they represent a significant improvement over single-use plastic bottles. Aluminum is endlessly recyclable, boasts the highest recycling rates of any common material, and provides a tangible alternative to the ever-growing plastic problem. In addition, some companies actively support environmental efforts, donating a portion of proceeds to organizations like 5 Gyres, a non-profit that combines science, education, and adventure to fight plastic pollution. By choosing aluminum, consumers can enjoy their beverages while reducing their contribution to one of the most pressing ecological threats of our time.