Back in September, we launched our brand-new cans in still and sparkling! These two joined the One family as a zero plastic, infinitely recyclable offering in a handy 330ml size.
So, cans. Are they better than plastic? Worse than cartons? The best packaging format out there??
The fact is, there is no right answer. Which is why we want to let you know what we know through these eco blogs and to start an open and honest conversation about packaging. We’ve been working hard at One trying to find the answers, and this is what we know about cans.
The average UK can is made out of 68% recycled aluminium, which means that less than half of every can contains virgin aluminium, which uses carbon and energy to produce. One Water cans are:
✅100% Recyclable
✅Zero plastic
✅Infinitely recyclable
✅Can be recycled, repurposed and back on the shelves within two months
However:
🔴The aluminium industry is responsible for millions of tonnes of CO2 production a year
🔴Our cans are not resealable or refillable
🔴Cans hold a higher carbon footprint than plastic bottles and cartons
What happens after I recycle a can?
The recycling process for cans is a very simple process. Recycling aluminium cans only uses 5% of the energy and emissions needed to make the raw material used to make virgin aluminium, which is called bauxite. Normally when a material is recycled, it degrades and loses its properties. Aluminium doesn’t do this, so it is one of the best materials to recycle.
Step 1: Recycling
Step 1 starts with you. First you rinse, then you squash, then you throw the can in your recycling bin or at a local collection bank. From then, it can take as little as 60 days for the recycled can to be back on the shelf as a new can. After you have deposited your One Water can, they are transported to the recycling plant.
Step 2: Sorting and Washing
When the cans arrive at the recycling plant, they are sorted and cleaned ready to be repurposed.
Step 3: Melting
Next the cans are melted down and turned into molten aluminium. This process removes any colour or coating that were on the cans previously.
Step 4: Ingots
The molten aluminium is then turned into long blocks that contain enough material for over 1 million drink cans. These blocks are called ingots. The ingots are sent to mills where they are rolled out to give the aluminium extra strength.
Step 5: New Cans
The sheets are then used to make new aluminium products which include cans, foil, packaging and more. This process takes as littles as 6 weeks in total, and they are sent back to stores and packaging facilities.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the qualities of our cans. If you have any questions for us, please get in touch and we will do our best to answer any questions you have for us – hello@theonebrand.com