• Aluminum cans are an eco-friendly means of packagingAluminum cans on end image by Jeffrey Studio from Fotolia.com
  
  Aluminum cans are a ubiquitous feature in grocery stores, used as a replacement for glass bottles as a container for beverages from soda to beer. How did aluminum cans become so popular? It's due to the unique properties of aluminum cans, which make them a safe, cheap and eco-friendly way to have a drink.
  
  

Recyclable

• The biggest benefit of aluminum cans is that they're highly recyclable. Nearly 100 percent of the aluminum used in a can can be melted down and used again. The time-frame for recycling is quick, too -- oftentimes a recycled can will be back on the shelf in less than 90 days.
  
  

Strength

• The aluminum used in cans is often stretched to a width of less than 1/10th of an inch thick. Despite the small amount of material used, cans as still highly durable and difficult to penetrate, particularly at pressure.
  
  

Rustproof

• Unlike other forms of metal, aluminum cans are rust-proof. This makes them an ideal means of containing and storing liquid beverages.
  
  

Weight

• Partially do the the small amount of metal needed to form a can, aluminum cans are lightweight. This drives down the cost to consumers, as retailers and manufacturers spend less to transport material packaged in aluminum cans than they would with glass bottles.