Ball Corp., Novelis increase recycled content of aluminum cups

Ball Corp., a Westminster, Colorado-based provider of recyclable aluminum beverage packaging, and Novelis, Atlanta, have announced that the Ball aluminum cup is now composed of 90-percent-recycled content.   

In a joint news release, the companies say the evolution builds on the Ball aluminum cup's recyclability by lowering its carbon footprint. Producing the cup with 90 percent recycled content significantly reduces its carbon footprint, as recycled aluminum uses 95 percent less energy than doing so with primary aluminum.   

Ball also recently received Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze for the aluminum cup, saying this underscores the company's commitment to making products that are safe, circular and responsibly made.  

"At Ball, we're committed to innovative solutions that contribute to creating a truly circular economy," says Dan Fisher, president and CEO of Ball Corp. "Aluminum beverage packaging, including the Ball aluminum cup, has always been a sustainable alternative to plastic, and this update only further strengthens its sustainability attributes. We aim to deliver solutions that not only benefit our global customers but also benefit the planet.”  

The aluminum cup, manufactured in Rome, Georgia, is available now and currently in use by Ball customers. The two say the aluminum cups are helping to drive sustainability at sports and entertainment venues across the country, including at Ball Arena in Denver; SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles; Hard Rock Stadium in Miami; State Farm Arena in Atlanta; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. At Ball Arena, in particular, aluminum beverage packaging has helped to eliminate more than 350,000 single-use plastic cups and bottles, and the arena is on pace to eliminate more than 1 million single-use plastic cups and bottles in 2022. 

"In line with Novelis' purpose of 'Shaping a Sustainable World Together,' we're focused on innovating alongside customers like Ball to increase the use of recycled content in their products," says Steve Fisher, president and CEO of Novelis. "We're proud of our long-standing partnership with Ball and our joint efforts to increase the use of aluminum for beverage packaging. Aluminum beverage packages, bottles, cans and cups alike, are a perfect product for the circular economy as they can be recycled over and over without ever losing their material properties."  

Recyclable and economically valuable, aluminum is the most sustainable beverage packaging material. Like aluminum cans, aluminum cups can be easily recycled. The companies say 75 percent of the aluminum ever produced is still in use today and aluminum cans, cups and bottles can be recycled and back on a store shelf in as little as 60 days.