Fast Facts

Aluminum Packaging

Generated:
• 1.96 million tons or 0.9% by weight.*
• 1.59 million tons of cans per year.*
• 370,000 tons of foil per year.*
• 14.51 pounds of aluminum packaging per person per year.*
• 11.77 pounds of cans and 2.74 pounds of foil per person per year.*
• 102.2 billion cans, or 379 cans per person, were used in 1999.
• 1 can weighs slightly less than 1/33 of a pound.
• 79% of cans are generated in homes and 21% are generated in businesses.
• 90% of foil is generated in homes and 10% is generated in businesses.

Recycled:
• 860,000 tons for a 43.9% aluminum packaging recycling rate.*
• 830,000 tons for a 53.9% can recycling rate.*
• Industry data shows 965,000 tons for a 62.5% can recycling rate in 1999.
• 30,000 tons for an 8.1% foil recycling rate.*

Recycled Content:
• In 1999, 33% of the raw material for aluminum was recycled.
• According to 1999 industry data, 51.2% of that overall statistic included aluminum cans.

Composted:
• Aluminum is a non-compostable material.

Density:
• Landfilled aluminum cans weigh 250 pounds per cubic yard.*
• Landfilled foil weighs 550 pounds per cubic yard.*
• Loose aluminum cans have a density of 50 pounds to 74 pounds per cubic yard.
• Flattened cans have a density of 250 pounds per cubic yard.

More facts about aluminum.

Click here for source information.