Are Aluminum Cans Recyclable?
Quick answer: Yes — aluminum cans are not just recyclable, they are infinitely recyclable. The same aluminum can be recycled over and over with no loss of quality, and a recycled can is often back on a shelf within weeks. That is why aluminum is considered the gold standard of recyclable packaging.
How aluminum recycling works
Used cans are collected, melted down, and cast into new aluminum stock that becomes new cans and products. Because melting does not degrade the metal, aluminum can cycle through this loop endlessly — unlike plastic, which degrades each time it is recycled.
Aluminum vs plastic recycling
| Aluminum can | Plastic bottle | |
|---|---|---|
| Recyclable infinitely? | Yes, no quality loss | No — quality degrades |
| Typical recycling rate | High | Low |
| Energy to recycle | ~95% less than new aluminum | Higher relative value loss |
| Sheds microplastics | No | Yes |
Why it matters for water
Choosing water in an aluminum can instead of a plastic bottle means your packaging can genuinely live again — and again. It is a small daily choice that keeps material in the loop instead of in a landfill or the ocean.
Recycle, repeat, restore
NEA spring water comes in a 16.9 fl oz aluminum can that is infinitely recyclable and plastic-free. And because a share of every purchase funds marine ecosystem restoration, drinking it does double duty for the planet. Just rinse, recycle, repeat.
Shop NEA canned spring water →
Frequently asked questions
Are aluminum cans infinitely recyclable?
Yes. Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly with no loss in quality, unlike plastic, which degrades each time it is recycled.
Do I need to rinse cans before recycling?
A quick rinse helps keep the recycling stream clean, but aluminum cans are widely accepted in curbside recycling.
Are aluminum cans better than plastic bottles for the environment?
Generally yes — aluminum is infinitely recyclable, recycled at higher rates, saves significant energy when recycled, and does not shed microplastics.
