The world uses over 420 billion aluminium cans a year
The world used around 420 billion aluminium drink cans in 2020, according to the International Aluminium Institute, the aluminium industry’s trade association1. That is about 13,300 cans every second, and more than 50 for every person on Earth4.
And the number is growing fast. The industry expects can use to reach 630 billion a year by 2030, half as many again as in 20201. So the number on this page, the latest published count, is almost certainly lower than today’s real figure.
No government or UN body counts drink cans, so this figure comes from the industry itself. It is the only global count available.
New aluminium takes a lot of energy
Aluminium is light, strong and easy to shape, which makes it ideal for cans. But making it from scratch is extremely energy hungry. Producing a tonne of new aluminium takes about 186 gigajoules of energy and causes about 15 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions3.
That's how much less energy it takes to make aluminium from recycled cans instead of from new metal
Recycled aluminium is a different story. Melting down old cans takes just 8.3 gigajoules per tonne, 95% less energy, and causes about half a tonne of emissions instead of 153. That is why what happens to a can after it is empty decides most of its footprint.
Cans against plastic and glass
Cans are the most recycled drink container in the world. In 2023, 75% of aluminium cans were recycled globally, compared with 47% of plastic bottles and 42% of glass bottles2.
The share of cans that get recycled, and why it matters.
Share of aluminium drink cans recycled worldwide
Globally, 2023
Aluminium can also be recycled again and again without losing quality. The industry estimates that 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use today3.
Where can use is heading
The growth in cans is a mixed story. More drinks are being sold in cans, and if they replace plastic bottles that end up in landfill or the ocean, that could be a gain. But a fresh can made from new aluminium has a heavy carbon footprint, so the benefit depends almost entirely on recycling.
The industry has set itself targets of recycling 80% of cans by 2030 and close to 100% by 20502. With can use expected to grow by half this decade, hitting those targets would be what separates cans from a growing source of emissions. More on recycling is on the page for recycled aluminium cans.
The rest of what the world raises and eats is in the food section.
