Consumers everywhere expect metal packaging as a norm in supermarkets. Tin and aluminum cans are among the most common forms of food and beverage packaging. Many people, though, are unaware of where the idea for metal packaging came from and reasons for its persistent usage among food producers. Here's a look at interesting facts about metal packaging that aren't readily known by most grocery shoppers.
Early Tinplate Canning
Tinplate manufacturing has existed for over 300 years. Early development began in England at the turn of the 18th century, then appeared in France a few decades later. In the following century, the canning process using tin containers was patented by Peter Durand. The Royal Navy was among the first entities to embrace tinplate canning on a wide scale starting in 1811.
Introduction of Aluminum Foil
One of the first uses of aluminum foil in commercial production coincided with the rising popularity of candy bars in the early 1900s. By the 1920s thin rolls of aluminum foil were mass marketed to households for multipurpose usage. Electric refrigerators became popular in the 1920s at the same time. Foil was ideal for wrapping foods and saving them in the refrigerator for leftovers.
Aluminum Cans with Pull-tab Openers
Consumers found it easier to open aluminum cans with the advent of pull-tab openers in the early sixties. They previously needed a can opener or an alternative tool to access the beverage. After inventor Ermal Fraze patented the pull-tab opener in 1963, he sold the patent to aluminum company Alcoa. Pull-tab openers were popular through the late seventies, but then they faced extinction from environmentalists who could easily point to how pull-tabs littered city streets. The solution became non-removable tabs.
Thin as Hair, Yet Unbreakable
Today's typical aluminum can used for commercial beverages is as thin as a human hair. This thinness contributes to the can's light weight, which helps reduce shipping costs. Despite their thinness, however, beverage cans are virtually indestructible, protecting the product, even if careless handling occurs during distribution. Because the metal is so resilient, there's no fear of the drink losing its flavor or being compromised by chemicals or contaminants from the outside world.
Steel cans were common from the thirties through late fifties for the packaging of beer and soft drinks. Aluminum cans became widespread in the sixties then overtook steel cans by the eighties.
Most Recycled Items on Earth
Aluminum beverage cans are the most recycled items on Earth. About 70 percent of all beverage cans sold around the globe end up getting recycled. Perhaps consumers are persuaded by messages on the cans that remind them to recycle. Many people save their cans separately from other trash and take them to a recycler for cash. Others have learned to dispose of aluminum in public disposal containers marked for recycling. Interestingly, any type of aluminum can be recycled.
Tin's Contribution to Music
Sustainability is a major topic these days that is shaping the world of packaging. The more packaging can be used beyond the life of a food product, the more consumers contribute to sustainability. Tin cans can actually be repurposed for musical instruments, even on a serious level. Banging on any type of metal creates sounds that can be used for percussion in recorded music.
Granted, tin cans don't readily produce amazing sonic quality, but sounds can be manipulated and improved with modern recording studio software tools. For musicians who cannot afford expensive drum kits, it's possible to bang spoons on tin cans to keep a steady beat. Musicians can experiment with sounds by stuffing cans with paper or cloth, which produces softer tones.
Tin cans can also be filled with small particles such as rice to create shakers for high-pitched percussive sounds. Another use of tin cans involves running a tight metal wire between two cans and singing through the system to create unique vocal effects.
Metal Cans Lead the Way
A profound fact about metal packaging is that it's here to stay no matter what anyone thinks. If metal ends up in a landfill, it will take 500 years to oxidize. So, instead of sending used metal to a wasteful destination, why not use it over and over as recycling material or encourage consumers to save it for other purposes? The strength, durability and versatility of metal ensures it will be around for a long time as an efficient packaging solution.
Desjardin: A Legacy in Metal Packaging
Founded in 1848, Desjardin is a French company with a long and distinguished history in the metal packaging industry. Over the years, Desjardin has established itself as a leader in the production of high-quality metal containers, serving a wide range of industries, including food, cosmetics, and luxury goods. The company's commitment to innovation and sustainability has kept it at the forefront of the market for over a century.
