Ethan Clarke
Soda cans are often packaged in aluminum cans with a plastic liner to prevent the drink from touching the metal of the can and to keep the beverage fresh and flavorful, free of a metallic taste. However, studies have found that plastic soda bottles may release microplastics and nanoplastics into the drink when opened and closed repeatedly. These microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, typically considered less than five millimeters in size, while nanoplastics are even smaller, usually considered less than one micron in size. The presence of these plastic particles in beverages has raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with consuming them.
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic liners prevent a metallic taste and drink contamination
- Plastic bottles may release microplastics and nanoplastics into drinks
- Aluminium cans are more efficient for packaging and bulk sales
- Plastic liners don't impact the recyclability of aluminium cans
- Microplastics in drinks may have adverse health effects
Plastic liners prevent a metallic taste and drink contamination
Aluminium cans are lined with a thin plastic layer to prevent the beverage from directly touching the metal of the can. This serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it prevents the can from imparting a metallic taste to the drink. The plastic layer also prevents the acidic drink from corroding the aluminium, thereby avoiding leakage and drink contamination.
The presence of plastic in cans has been a cause for concern, with studies finding that plastic soda bottles may release microplastics and nanoplastics into the beverage. This contamination is caused by the degradation of the plastic bottle cap with repeated use. While aluminium cans are lined with plastic, the plastic liners do not impact the recyclability of the cans. The high temperatures involved in the recycling process allow the remaining plastic liner to be separated and skimmed off, leaving just the aluminium to be recycled.
The plastic liners in cans are referred to as lacquer by the packaging industry. While the presence of plastic in food and beverage packaging is concerning, it is important to note that there are currently no laws requiring manufacturers to disclose the materials used in packaging. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for consumers to make informed choices about the products they purchase.
The discovery of microplastics and nanoplastics in popular plastic soft drink bottles, such as Coca-Cola and Schweppes, has raised concerns about the potential health impacts of consuming these beverages. The head of investigations and analyses at Agir pour l’Environnement, Magali Leroy, emphasised the need for authorities to ensure that consumers are provided with inert containers that do not expose them to potentially harmful molecules. As a result, consumers are increasingly opting to pour their drinks into a glass instead of consuming directly from plastic bottles.
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Plastic bottles may release microplastics and nanoplastics into drinks
The study identified six types of plastic particles in the beverages: polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), and polyurethane (PU). These particles are typically considered to be less than five millimeters in size, which is smaller than a sesame seed. The same beverage bottles were opened once, 10 times, and 20 times to replicate actual consumer behaviour. After opening a bottle just once, the beverage showed measurable amounts of microplastics, with Coca-Cola registering 4 microplastic particles and Schweppes hitting 4.6. With each successive opening, the number of microplastics increased, reaching 46 particles for Coca-Cola by the 20th opening and 62 for Schweppes.
In addition to microplastics, the study also found nanoplastics, which are even smaller than microplastics, typically considered to be less than one micron in size. To put that into perspective, a nanoplastic can be up to 70 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. While the health effects of consuming microplastics are not yet fully understood, nanoplastics may be small enough to penetrate the body's biological barriers and enter organs and cells. According to the UN Environment Programme, the average adult could be consuming up to 52,000 particles of microplastics each year.
If you are concerned about microplastic exposure, one way to reduce your risk is to pour your drink into a glass before consuming it. While plastic bottles may release microplastics and nanoplastics into drinks, aluminum cans are also commonly used for packaging soda and other beverages. These cans often have a plastic lining on the inside to keep the drink fresh and flavorful, free of a metallic taste. However, the plastic liners in cans do not impact recyclability, as the metal can still be infinitely recycled.
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Aluminium cans are more efficient for packaging and bulk sales
Aluminium cans are a popular choice for packaging and bulk sales, and their efficiency is evident in several ways. Firstly, aluminium cans are stackable and space-efficient. This feature is advantageous for both retailers and consumers. For retailers, displaying and storing aluminium cans is more convenient as they occupy less space compared to plastic bottles. For consumers, stacking cans in a cooler or refrigerator is easier, allowing for better space utilisation and helping to keep beverages colder for longer due to their thermal conductivity.
Aluminium cans also offer convenience and portability. A single long case of cans is easier to handle and transport than multiple packs of plastic bottles. This feature is particularly beneficial for bulk purchases, events, or occasions where large quantities of beverages are required. The lightweight nature of aluminium cans further enhances their portability, making them a preferred choice for outdoor activities, picnics, and travel.
Another advantage of aluminium cans is their recyclability. Despite being lined with a thin plastic layer, aluminium cans are still recyclable. The recycling process involves heating the metal to high temperatures, which separates the plastic liner, inks, and UV materials. This process ensures that the metal can be recycled without being affected by the plastic lining. Aluminium's recyclability contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging option.
While aluminium cans have a plastic liner, it's important to note that this liner serves a specific purpose. The plastic lining prevents the beverage from coming into direct contact with the metal, avoiding a metallic taste and protecting the can from the acidic nature of the drink, which could cause corrosion and leakage. This plastic liner, often referred to as lacquer in the industry, does not impact the recyclability of the can and is separated during the recycling process.
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Plastic liners don't impact the recyclability of aluminium cans
Aluminium cans are often considered a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bottles. However, many aluminium cans are lined with plastic, usually epoxy resin, to prevent the beverage from reacting with the aluminium and giving it a metallic taste. This plastic lining may contain microplastics and potentially harmful chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA), which may leach into the drink over time.
Despite the presence of plastic liners, aluminium cans are still recyclable. During the recycling process, the cans are shredded and melted at high temperatures, burning off the plastic. The plastic liners do not impact the recyclability of aluminium cans, but they may introduce additional costs and reduce recycling efficiency. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only about 50% of aluminium cans are successfully recycled, with the liners playing a role in this inefficiency.
While the plastic liners themselves do not hinder the recyclability of aluminium cans, they may release microplastics and questionable chemicals during the recycling process. This can lead to increased emissions during reprocessing. However, it's important to note that the recycling process involves separating and removing any remaining plastic, ink, and UV materials from the melted metal.
The use of plastic liners in aluminium cans has sparked discussions about sustainability and transparency in packaging. Some consumers and producers are opting for glass packaging, which is seen as a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable alternative. Glass is infinitely recyclable, chemical-free, and preferred by environmentally conscious buyers.
In conclusion, while plastic liners in aluminium cans may raise environmental concerns due to the potential release of microplastics and chemicals, they do not impact the recyclability of the cans themselves. The recycling process effectively separates the plastic from the aluminium, ensuring that the cans can be recycled without issue. However, the discussion around sustainability and the search for alternative packaging options, such as glass, continue to be important topics in the industry.
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Microplastics in drinks may have adverse health effects
Plastic is ubiquitous in the world of packaging, and soda containers are no exception. Aluminum cans are lined with plastic, and plastic is also used for bottles. While the use of plastic in packaging has many benefits, such as keeping drinks fresh and flavorful, there are growing concerns about the presence of microplastics in drinks and their potential adverse health effects.
Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, typically considered to be less than five millimeters in size. They are prevalent in the environment, including in drinking water, bottled water, and food. A recent study found that bottled water can contain up to 100 times more plastic particles than previously estimated, with an average of around 240,000 nanoplastic fragments per liter. This indicates that plastic bottles may be a significant source of microplastics in drinks.
Another study by the French NGO Agir pour l'Environnement found that repeatedly opening and closing plastic soda bottles increased the number of microplastic particles in the beverages. The study identified six types of plastic particles, suggesting that the bottle caps degrade with use and release microplastics into the liquid. In addition to microplastics, nanoplastics were also found, which are even smaller and may be able to penetrate the body's biological barriers and enter organs and cells.
The health effects of ingesting microplastics are still not fully understood, and research in this area is limited. However, microplastics have been found to make their way into the human bloodstream and have been detected in human placenta, breast milk, and infant feces, indicating that infants may have higher exposure levels than adults. Studies on juvenile fish have shown that microplastics can cause neurotoxicity and abnormal behavior. The large surface area of microplastics allows them to adsorb other pollutants, especially heavy metals and hydrophobic organic chemicals, which may synergize to have toxic effects on the human body.
While the full extent of the health risks posed by microplastics is yet to be determined, the presence of microplastics in drinks is a growing concern. To reduce exposure, consumers can opt for drinks in glass bottles or pour their beverages into a glass instead of drinking directly from plastic bottles or cans.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bottles are cheaper and lighter than glass bottles, and they are more resistant to breakage in both production and transportation.
Yes, there are. Studies have found that opening and closing plastic soda bottles can increase the number of microplastic particles in the beverages, with one study finding up to 62 microplastic particles per litre in soda after 20 bottle openings.
Yes, soda can also be packaged in glass bottles or aluminium cans. Aluminium cans have a thin plastic liner that buffers the liquid from the metal, but this does not impact the recyclability of the cans.
Plastic production releases cancer-causing chemicals into the environment, and there are also concerns about the environmental impact of plastic waste. In addition, the recycling of plastic may not be effective in reducing these issues, as it is essentially recycling toxic chemicals as well.
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