Liquid Death

You finish a can of your favorite sparkling water or iced tea, toss it in the recycling bin, and feel a small glow of eco-virtue. But have you ever wondered: does that can actually get recycled? Or is it just wishful thinking? For years, myths about aluminum can recycling have circulated, leaving consumers confused about the real environmental impact of their empty drink containers.

In this article, we’ll bust the most common recycling myths and reveal what actually happens to your cans once they leave your hands. Whether you’re a die-hard recycler or just starting to think about sustainable packaging, understanding the truth can help you make smarter choices—and maybe even enjoy your next can of Liquid Death a little more.

Myth #1: Most Aluminum Cans End Up in Landfills

One of the most persistent recycling myths is that the majority of aluminum cans are never actually recycled—that they just get dumped in landfills alongside plastic bottles and food waste. The truth is far more encouraging. According to the Aluminum Association, aluminum cans are the most recycled beverage container in the United States, with a recycling rate of over 73% in recent years. That’s significantly higher than glass or plastic.

Why does aluminum recycling work so well? Because it’s economically viable. Aluminum scrap is valuable, so there’s a strong financial incentive for recycling facilities, scrap dealers, and manufacturers to keep cans out of landfills. When you recycle a can, it’s typically baled, sold to a recycler, melted down, and turned into a new can in as little as 60 days. That’s a closed-loop system that plastic simply can’t match.

• Tip: Rinse your cans before recycling to prevent contamination and improve the quality of the scrap.

Myth #2: You Need to Remove the Label Before Recycling

Many conscientious recyclers spend time peeling off paper labels from cans, thinking it’s required for proper processing. In reality, labels are not an issue for modern recycling facilities. The high-temperature furnaces used to melt aluminum burn off any paper or plastic labels during the process. The metal itself is unaffected, and the label material is either consumed as fuel or captured by pollution control systems.

So go ahead and toss that can in the bin with the label still on. You’ll save time and effort without harming the recycling stream. Just make sure the can is empty—residual liquid can contaminate other recyclables and cause issues at the sorting facility. Brands like Liquid Death make it easy to enjoy every drop, so there’s rarely anything left behind.

Myth #3: Crushing Cans Saves Space and Helps Recycling

It seems logical: crushing a can reduces its volume, so you can fit more in your bin, and the recycling truck can carry more material. But in many single-stream recycling systems, crushed cans can actually cause problems. They’re harder for optical sorters to identify, and they may fall through sorting screens meant for smaller items, ending up in the wrong stream or even in the landfill.

Unless your local recycling program specifically asks for crushed cans, it’s best to leave them intact. If you’re short on space at home, consider a dedicated can crusher that flattens them in a way that still allows sorting equipment to recognize them—or simply take your cans to a drop-off center that accepts crushed aluminum. When in doubt, check with your municipality.

• Quick check: Visit your city’s recycling website to see if they recommend crushing or not.

Myth #4: Recycling Aluminum Uses More Energy Than Making New Cans

This myth is completely backwards. Producing new aluminum from raw bauxite ore is an energy-intensive process that requires mining, refining, and smelting. Recycling aluminum, on the other hand, uses only about 5% of the energy needed to create virgin aluminum. That’s because the metal doesn’t degrade during recycling—it can be melted and reused indefinitely without losing quality.

To put it in perspective: recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a 60-watt bulb for four hours or run a television for three hours. Multiply that by the billions of cans consumed each year, and the energy savings are enormous. That’s why sustainable packaging advocates—including Liquid Death—choose aluminum over plastic whenever possible.

Myth #5: All Aluminum Cans Are Created Equal for Recycling

Not all aluminum cans are the same. Some contain plastic linings or coatings that can complicate the recycling process. For example, many energy drink and soda cans have a thin polymer coating to protect the metal from acidic contents. While these coatings burn off during melting, they can create emissions if not properly managed. High-quality cans, like those used by Liquid Death, are designed with recycling in mind, using minimal coatings and clear labeling.

Additionally, cans that are part of multi-material packaging—like those with plastic lids or shrink sleeves—can be more difficult to sort. Stick to standard all-aluminum cans for the best recycling outcomes. And remember: the cap or pull tab is also aluminum, so toss that in the recycling bin too.

• Look for cans with a clear “100% recyclable” label and avoid those with mixed materials.

What Actually Happens to Your Empty Can: The Recycling Process Step by Step

Once your empty can is collected, it heads to a materials recovery facility (MRF). There, it’s sorted by magnets (aluminum is non-magnetic, so it’s separated from steel) and by eddy current separators that repel non-ferrous metals. The sorted aluminum is then crushed into bales and shipped to a recycling plant.

At the plant, the bales are shredded into small pieces, any remaining coatings are burned off in a furnace, and the pure aluminum is melted at around 660°C (1,220°F). The molten metal is cast into ingots, which are rolled into thin sheets and stamped into new cans. From bin to new can, the entire cycle can take just 60 days—meaning your can could be back on a store shelf as a fresh can of Liquid Death in under two months.

• Did you know? A recycled can can be back on the shelf in as little as 60 days—a true closed loop.

How Liquid Death Leads in Sustainable Packaging

Liquid Death has built its brand around the idea that canned water and iced tea are not just delicious but also better for the planet. By packaging their drinks in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, they avoid the plastic waste that plagues most bottled beverages. Their commitment extends beyond the can: they use recycled materials for their merch, including hats, tees, and drinkware, and they offset their carbon footprint through various initiatives.

When you buy a can of Liquid Death, you’re supporting a company that prioritizes sustainable packaging from start to finish. And because aluminum retains its quality through endless recycling cycles, every can you recycle helps reduce the demand for virgin materials. It’s a small action with a big impact—especially when millions of people do it.

Now that you know the truth behind aluminum can recycling myths, you can recycle with confidence. Every empty can you toss in the bin is a step toward a more sustainable future. Ready to make your next sip count? Grab a can of Liquid Death and join the movement—your planet will thank you.