Research
- A Blueprint for Capturing More Used Beverage Cans for Recycling: Buyback Locations
- Aerosol Recycling Initiative: Propelling Increased Access and Improved Labeling (CMI & HCPA)
- Aluminum Association’s Life Cycle Assessment of North American Cans (5.2021 Sphera)
- Aluminum Beverage Can: Driver of the U.S. Recycling System
- The Aluminum Can Advantage Key Sustainability Performance Indicators (12.2024 Aluminum Association)
- Aluminum Can-to-Can Claim Documentation in the U.S. (11.2024 Resource Recycling Systems)
- Behavior Change Research Shows How to Spur Consumer Recycling, Reduce Contamination
- Beverage Can Recycled Content Guidance Summary (4.7.2025 CMI)
- Beverage Can Recycled Content Guidance (8.2025 CMI)
- CMI Recycling Behavior Literature Review (2020 Hill + Knowlton)
- Fair Fees in Deposit Return Systems by Circular Matters (2022)
- Metal Can Recyclability and Sustainability Fact Sheet (2026)
- Multiple Deposit Levels in Deposit Return Systems (9.2022 Circular Matters)
- Recycling Unpacked: Assessing the Circular Potential of Beverage Containers in the United States (2020 Metabolic)
- Recycling Unpacked: Assessing the Circular Potential of Beverage Containers in the United States – APPENDIX (2020 Metabolic)
- Remelt Scrap Ingot Typical Composition Market Intelligence (Harbor Aluminum Report February 2025)
- Steel Can Recycled Content White Paper (2024 Resource Recycling Systems)
- Steel Can Recycled White Paper – Summary for Policy Makers
- Steel Container Design Guide for Recyclability (9.2022 Circular Matters)
- Surveying State of MRF and End Market Barriers to Recycling Steel and Aluminum Aerosols and Pet Food Cans and Identification of Solutions RRS (commissioned by CMI, PFI, and the HCPA)
- U.S. Steel Packaging Recycling Rate – Calculation Methodology and Results (Prepared by RRS for CMI 9.26.25)
Infographs
- Aluminum Beverage Can: Driver of the U.S. Recycling System Infographic
- Aluminum Beverage Can Facts
- Aluminum Can’s Circular Story
- Economic Impact of Aluminum Can Recycling
- Nutrition, Cost and Safely: The Case for Cans
- Steel Food Can Facts
- Ten Reasons Cans Will Get You Cooking
- Ten Reasons Steel Cans Are the Earth-Friendly & Responsible Choice
Webinars/Podcasts
- Sustainable Packaging Podcast with Cory Connors Episode 104 Scott Breen Can Manufacturers Institute | Sustainable Packaging Podcast
- Scott Breen from Can Manufacturers Institute updates our listeners on The Global Aluminium Can Sustainability Summit | The Metal Packager Podcast
- A footprint to decarbonisation Scott Breen from Can Manufacturers Institute updates | The Metal Packager Podcast
- CMI Recycling Rate Targets Announcement Virtual Press Event
Best Practices in Container Deposit Laws (CMI Webinar) - How Beverage Cans Can Further Drive the U.S. Recycling System with Additional Can Capture Equipment at Material Recovery Facilities (CMI Webinar)
Videos
- The 60-Day Journey of the Aluminum Beverage Can
- Can Aluminum Cans Be Recycled? (JerryRigEverything at Constellium)
- Canned Foods: Less Waste and 100% Recyclable (Cans Get You Cooking)
- Discover How Beverage Cans Are Made (Crown Holdings, Inc.)
- Help make Mardi Gras celebrations more sustainable (WDSU)
- How Are Aluminum Cans Recycled (Discovery)
- How Beverage Cans are Made (Ardagh Group)
- Metal -The Most Recycled Packaging Material (Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association)
- Recycling Center – Sorting Aluminum and Steel (Homewood Disposal)
- Tin Recycling (Weissbleck Recycling)
- Why Consumers Love Canned Beverages (Open Up to Cans)
Other Resources
- CMI’s Educational Curriculum
- CMI’s Recycling Impact Calculator
- Metal Recycles Forever – Sell Sheet
- Member Company Sustainability
- Organizations, venues, and others that have banned sales or use of plastic PET bottles
- Third party affirmation of the importance of metal can recycling or metal can’s sustainability advantages
Past Recycling Initiatives
Great American Can Roundup
In the 1980s, CMI started the Great Aluminum Can Roundup, which became the Great American Can Roundup. Through this initiative, 383 million cans were captured and $4.5 million was raised for charity. Schools, Boy Scout and Girl Scout units, and other organizations participated in the Roundup to build community, help the environment and raise money.
Formation of Curbside Value Partnership/The Recycling Partnership
CMI is a member of The Recycling Partnership, which is the leading national non-profit in the United States focused on recycling with more than 1,500 communities supported, more than 230 million recyclables diverted, and more than $90 million in value created as part of its efforts to drive U.S. system solutions toward a circular economy. The Partnership, which was established in 2015, was formerly the Curbside Value Partnership, founded in 2003 by CMI and other metal organizations, which was focused on helping communities understand the value of the material in their recycling system and how to collect more of those valuable materials.
Aluminum Beverage Can Recycling Curriculum
CMI developed interactive educational programs for elementary, middle and high school students to engage youth so that they understand the importance of aluminum can recycling and became lifelong recyclers. CMI has fulfilled more than 8,000 curriculum requests from teachers who have a combined potential of reaching 240,000 classroom students. Click below to download the curriculum.
