It depends. Consider a typical shelf-stable carton that has a fiber body, an aluminum liner on the inside, polyethylene coating on both the inside and outside, and a polypropylene cap. Cartons are still considered widely recyclable across the US. Even magazines normally contain 30%-35% clay filler with only 65%-70% recoverable fiber. How about that?
There are two main reasons why recycling programs vary from one community to another: infrastructure and end markets. Commingled recyclables are sent to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where they are sorted by material type (i.e., glass, cardboard, paper, plastics, metal, etc.). Some MRFs have advanced sorting technology, while others have limited equipment.
Second, and even more importantly, there must exist a reasonable market for the various types of recyclables. Some areas have robust markets, while others may lack buyers for certain commodities that could otherwise be recycled.
No. Multiple audits have been conducted using material from municipalities where paper cans are accepted in their recycling programs, and all the findings have shown that paper cans make up less than 2% of the weight of a steel bale.
Check out our Insights page to learn more about bale audits and MRF sortation studies.
Definitely! Studies confirm that recycling paper cans compared to landfilling reduces global warming potential by 23%-26%. See our Insights page for more data and research.
Absolutely! Results from a national survey indicate that more than 84% of respondents prefer to recycle paper cans compared to landfilling. See more data on our Insights page.
The print quality on a paper label can be quite impressive, offering a high level of detail and rich, vibrant colors. Paper is a fantastic print substrate because it allows for excellent graphic reproduction, ensuring that images and text appear crisp and clear. Additionally, the tactile nature of paper adds a quality feel to the label, and its porous surface is well-suited for various printing techniques, from digital to lithography to flexographic or rotogravure printing processes. This adaptability makes paper labels a great choice for a wide range of applications, allowing for both aesthetic appeal and functional versatility.
Paper cans offer a wide range of styles, sizes, and closures, along with customizable branding and labeling. They are ideal for food and beverage, powdered infant formula, pet treats, health and personal care, household and home care, automotive, construction and many other industrial and retail applications.
Check your municipality’s online guidelines to see if paper cans, paper canisters, cardboard cans, or other similar formats are accepted. Search Recycling Guidelines in My Area to get detailed information about what is accepted by your local recycler.
If your community subscribes to Recycle Coach or another app, simply search “Cardboard spiral cans” in the What Goes Where tool.
Eco-friendly labels:
Paper cans are produced from materials that may carry fiber certification which signals sustainable sourcing practices."
Recyclability:
Paper cans with metal bottoms already are prequalified for the How2Recycle® Check Locally label in Canada and are under review for this label pre qualification in the US as well. Paper cans with paper bottoms are prequalified for Check Locally in the U.S. and Canada.
Transparency:
Responsible brands typically provide transparency about their packaging materials and environmental practices. Consumers can look for information on the packaging that displays sustainable messaging, such as "Made from +90% Paper Content,” “90% Less Plastic,” or “Recycle Me!”
In most communities, paper cans are recycled in the steel stream, where they are blended with steel cans and recycled at a steel mill. At the steel mill, the metal in the paper and steel cans are recycled into new products, and the paper bodies and labels are incinerated, the same way a paper label on a steel can is.
Yes! Paper cans with paper bottoms are currently available in Europe and North America today.
The great thing is paper cans do not have a wax coating, so it doesn’t matter!