Making the switch to aluminum packaging

Due to its unique material characteristics, aluminum packaging has become an increasingly popular choice for food, beverage, medical, and cosmetics manufacturers. Aluminum is the ultimate choice for high-volume and lightweight packaging, designed to last years without breaking down. Many companies are switching from plastic boxes and containers to aluminum boxes and tins to avoid the long-term adverse environmental impact caused byplastic production plastic packaging waste. Switching to aluminum packaging is not only a sustainable and greener choice for companies but also makes a good case from an economical and marketing perspective.

In this blog, we will discuss why your company should switch to aluminum packaging - from a company, customer, and environmental point of view. We will also consider some popular packaging materials aluminum can replace in today's market and how they compare. Follow along to find all the benefits your business can reap by switching to a more sustainable and green option, i.e., aluminum packaging, especially aluminum food packaging and aluminum cosmetic packaging. 

Aluminum packaging from a business point of view: cost-effectiveness, savings, and design freedom. 

Switching to aluminum packaging may seem like an expensive move, but it is an excellent option for businesses looking to save money on packaging costs. Although lightweight, aluminum is a strong and reliable material that can last for years with minimal to no maintenance required. The light weightlightweight of aluminum packaging adds almost no additional weight to the product itself, making it a cost-effective choice when considering the transportation cost of goods. Compared to plastic, aluminum is far more durable and naturally corrosion-resistant, making it the ideal material for food, beverage, medical, and cosmetic companies that need to secure their products for long-term storage and shipping; making aluminum food packaging and aluminum cosmetic packaging excellent choices.

The advantages of using aluminum packaging material are plentiful, not least of which is its limitless supply; it is one of the most abundant metals on earth. Aluminum is 100% recyclable, meaning it can be recycled repeatedly without compromising its material quality. In fact, recycling aluminum is more cost-effective than creating new aluminum from virgin ore; this has two major benefits for the packaging industry: a steady and reliable supply of aluminum material and almost no risk that the price of aluminum packaging will ever become an issue. Affordable and consistent material supply - sounds like words any business would love to have on their side. 

Additionally, aluminum has a low melting temperature, allowing manufacturers to mold it easily in different shapes and designs. This is a great feature when you want your product to stand out owing to its unique design and packaging, giving you all sorts of freedom to design attractive custom aluminum packaging such as custom tins. The metallic feel of aluminum is also something that sells well with customers. Furthermore, many of the current industrial printing processes are compatible with aluminum, thus making the switch to aluminum packaging smooth and practical. 

Aluminum packaging from the customer's point of view - health benefits and sustainable packaging

Conventionally plastic packaging has dominated the industry for its low price and versatile usability. However, customers around the globe are increasingly turning away from products in plastic packaging and are opting for safer options such as aluminum packaging. This is due to the latest research about BPA, a chemical widely used in plastic production, as a potentially harmful chemical that can lead to multiple diseases. It is basically an endocrine disruptor, which means it can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in the body. This change in the body can have a variety of adverse health effects, including developmental problems in children, reproductive issues, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Further studies are underway to uncover more information on all the potential health effects of BPA and reach conclusive results. Aluminum, a naturally occurring metal, is free from any harmful chemicals and is resistant to corrosion, making it an ideal choice for packaging products prone to rust or degradation. Additionally, aluminum packaging offers excellent barrier properties that help protect the product from moisture, light, air, and other external factors affecting its quality and shelf life. 

Switching to aluminum packaging can create a positive, sustainable, and eco-friendly image for potential customers. According to a survey, 66% of people consider sustainability when making a purchase [1]. Consumers are also looking to reduce their environmental footprint and waste. Many find aluminum packaging a great alternative - a more sustainable option than other packaging materials available in the market. Aluminum is highly recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. This allows manufacturers to recycle most of the existing aluminum and drastically reduce the environmental footprint of the packaging industry and consumers alike - a win-win situation. These features make aluminum packaging a popular eco-friendly packaging material among consumers and an excellent choice for businesses to switch to. 

Aluminum packaging from an environmental point of view

By replacing traditional plastic packaging with aluminum packaging, companies can significantly contribute to reducing the global packaging waste problem. As mentioned above, in today's era, consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the environmental impact of their purchases. Many are actively opting to switch to products and services that align with their values and promote sustainability. Many customers now dislike goods that are wrapped in plastics and styrofoam, the conventional packaging materials, as they pose serious environmental issues. Plastics can take decades to break down into microplastics, causing significant problems at landfills and, thus, a bad image among customers. Businesses need to be on time to switch towards aluminum packaging or other sustainable packaging materials in order to not miss out on potential customers and avoid getting a bad rep amongst consumers.

Aluminum packaging is highly recyclable with minimal energy needed. It is easy to work with for molding – a great option for custom aluminum packaging. It comes in abundant supply in nature - making for a great option when considering sustainable packaging material. Recycling aluminum saves 95% energy as compared to extracting aluminum from its virgin ores [2] - that is a massive number when it comes to energy saving. Thanks to these features, aluminum is also known as the 'green metal.'

How does aluminum packaging compare to other packaging materials available in the market? 

Let's look at why customers might choose products that come in aluminum packaging over other packaging materials, including glass, plastic, and paper. There are several reasons for it, but this blog only covers some of the major reasons. In the comparisons below, there is one thing that readers need to keep in mind; . pPlastics in any form or shape are relatively inexpensive as compared to aluminum, however, for a fair comparison, one needs to factor in the environmental cost of plastics as well. 

1. Aluminum bottles vs. glass or plastic bottles: Aluminum bottles offer several advantages over glass and plastic bottles. Compared to glass bottles, aluminum bottles are lightweight, making their handling easy and transportation less expensive. Compared to plastic bottles, aluminum bottles have superior durability and strength. Furthermore, aluminum has excellent barrier properties that protect the bottle's contents from external factors such as ultraviolet light, oxygen, and moisture. 

2. Aluminum tins vs. glass or plastic jars: Aluminum tins are preferred by customers as they are lightweight and reusable. Owing to the eco-friendly nature of aluminum, it can be recycled and even reused for different purposes in the kitchen. Aluminum is also naturally corrosion-resistant and can withstand organic acids making aluminum food packaging a perfect choice. The opaque nature of aluminum and excellent barrier properties that prevent air and moisture flow allows for an extended shelf life of edibles stored inside tin containers, thus making it an excellent choice among customers. Thanks to its corrosion-resistant properties, aluminum tins are also a perfect cosmetic packaging.

3. Aluminum packaging for squeeze tubes vs. plastic squeeze tubes: Aluminum is a naturally occurring metal that is completely free from harmful chemicals when used to produce packaging material, including squeeze tubes – which are an excellent aluminum cosmetic packaging. Furthermore, an increasing number of customers are actively making an effort to choose eco-friendly packaging to reduce their environmental footprint, thus making aluminum squeeze tubes a superior option over plastic squeeze tubes. 

4. Aluminum packaging for push-up tubes vs. paper or plastic push-up tubes: Compared to paper push–up tubes, aluminum push-up tubes are long-lasting and ensure better security for the product from outside air and moisture. Due to aluminum's strength and sturdiness, aluminum push tubes are less prone to cracks and can easily be reused. Thus making aluminum cosmetic packaging an ideal choice. One can argue that plastic push-up tubes can also achieve similar goals, but customers reject them for two major reasons. Firstly, the health risks attached to the chemical substance BPA, which is used to produce plastic packaging, and secondly, the global waste pollution associated with plastics. These negative impacts demotivate customers to choose plastic push-up tubes.

Overall, aluminum packaging offers a wide range of advantages, such as being lightweight and durable, having superior barrier properties, and a highly versatile packaging option. Moreover, the sustainability factor of aluminum makes it an attractive choice for customers looking for reliable packaging that can protect their products while reducing their environmental footprint. For all these reasons, it is high time for companies to switch towards aluminum packaging to ensure their products stay competitive. This will also ensure that they do not lose any potential customers just because they are not catering to environmentally cautious end users of their products.

[1] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/05/eco-wakening-consumers-driving-sustainability/

[2] https://www.asm-recycling.co.uk/blog/why-is-aluminium-environmentally-friendly/