Recycling isn’t just about tossing cans into a blue bin anymore. For brands and consumers alike, it’s a front-line issue tied to climate action, consumer trust, and regulatory pressure. From aluminum cans to plastic six-pack rings and carrier trays, recycling responsibly is no longer optional, it’s expected.
Here’s what you need to know about improving your recycling practices, reducing contamination, and embedding sustainable habits into your daily routine.
Why It Starts with Cans
Aluminum cans are among the most recyclable materials in the waste stream. They can be remelted and reformed with minimal degradation and at a fraction of the energy required to produce new ones. In fact, recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power a laptop for three hours.
However, success isn’t just about recycling, it’s about recycling correctly. Consumers frequently contaminate streams by tossing in half-full cans or mixing aluminum with non-recyclables. Municipalities then must divert these to landfill, defeating the purpose.
What to Do:
Empty and rinse cans before recycling.
Keep lids attached if they are the same material.
Avoid crushing if your local program prefers intact cans for sorting.
Plastic Carriers: The Hidden Problem
Six-pack rings, carrier handles, and plastic trays are among the worst offenders in marine pollution and recycling system failures. Many are made from LDPE or HDPE, but their thin form factor makes them hard to sort at materials recovery facilities (MRFs).
Newer biodegradable or photodegradable versions aren’t always better. Some break down into microplastics faster, exacerbating downstream pollution.
Best Practices:
Choose brands that use recyclable or compostable carriers, like molded fiber or cardboard sleeves.
Cut up plastic rings before disposal to prevent wildlife entanglement.
Drop off soft plastics at designated return bins, never in curbside bins unless explicitly allowed.
Retailers and Brands Must Lead
Consumer behavior can only do so much without support from upstream players. Brands in the beverage, food, and consumer goods categories must design for end-of-life recycling, what sustainability officers refer to as design for circularity.
Brands are now being evaluated not just on product quality but on packaging impact. This extends to sectors like personal care, pet food, and emerging categories such as THC drinks brands, which are often packaged in small, hard-to-sort units that challenge municipal recovery systems.
Carrier Programs That Work
Several regional programs accept carriers and trays for dedicated recycling:
PakTech Recycling: Accepts rigid HDPE can carriers at drop-off locations nationwide.
Loop™: A closed-loop delivery platform that reuses containers for participating brands.
Can Carrier Takeback: Some breweries now take back their own carriers for reuse.
Call your local recycling coordinator or check municipal guidelines, this varies widely by city.
Planet-Friendly Habits Start at Home
Building a habit of responsible recycling is less about memorizing symbols and more about slowing down. Most recycling errors come from haste or wishcycling, tossing something in the bin “just in case.”
Adopt the “scrub, sort, and stay current” rule:
Scrub: Rinse containers free of food residue.
Sort: Follow local rules, not national assumptions.
Stay current: Recycling rules change, subscribe to city alerts or use apps like iRecycle or Recycle Coach.
FAQs
Can I recycle aluminum cans with the tab removed?
Yes, but tabs are often too small to be captured by sorting equipment on their own. Leaving them attached improves recovery rates.
What’s the best way to recycle plastic six-pack rings?
Cut them to prevent wildlife harm and check if your local grocery offers soft plastic recycling. Otherwise, they belong in the trash.
Are biodegradable carriers better than recyclable ones?
Not necessarily. Biodegradable often means industrial composting only, if your city doesn’t support this, the item ends up in landfill or breaks down into microplastics.
Can I put can carriers in my curbside bin?
Only if your recycling provider accepts rigid plastics (look for “#2 HDPE” markings). Otherwise, save them for store drop-off programs.
How do I know if a brand uses sustainable packaging?
Look for third-party certifications like How2Recycle, Plastic-Free, FSC-certified paper, or specific callouts on the packaging itself.
Conclusion: Think Beyond the Bin
Recycling responsibly means more than compliance, it’s a proactive choice that builds a healthier materials ecosystem. Whether you’re grabbing a sparkling water, a craft beer, or exploring new thc drinks brands, it’s not just what’s in the package that matters, but what happens after you’re done.
Adopting better habits, and choosing brands that design with end-of-life in mind, isn’t a burden. It’s a step toward stewardship.
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