Aluminium can
Low releaseAluminium with an epoxy or acrylic internal liner
The short answer
Aluminium cannot shed microplastics, which removes the bottle problem entirely. The trade is a thin internal polymer liner, so a can swaps a particle question for a bisphenol question rather than eliminating both.
What actually drives release
- Thin epoxy, acrylic or polyester internal liner in contact with the contents
- Retort sterilisation heats food while it sits against that liner
- Long shelf life means slow migration continues for years
When it gets worse
- Contents are acidic, such as tomatoes or citrus
- Contents are oily, since many liner additives are fat-soluble
- Food is heated in the can, which should never be done
Better options
- Glass jar
- Tetra-style carton
- Fresh or frozen instead of canned
Where you'll find it
Soft drinksSparkling waterCanned vegetablesBeerCanned fish
Scan what you actually buy
Packaging changes the answer more than the brand does. Scan your product with MicroPlastics for a 0–100 exposure score and a lower-plastic version of the same thing.
Scan my productFrequently Asked Questions
Are aluminium cans lined with plastic?
Aluminium cannot shed microplastics, which removes the bottle problem entirely. The trade is a thin internal polymer liner, so a can swaps a particle question for a bisphenol question rather than eliminating both.
What makes aluminium can worse?
Contents are acidic, such as tomatoes or citrus. Contents are oily, since many liner additives are fat-soluble. Food is heated in the can, which should never be done.
What should I use instead of aluminium can?
In order of preference: Glass jar, Tetra-style carton, Fresh or frozen instead of canned. Packaging is usually the cheapest variable to change in any product decision.
Sources
- Earth Action with rePurpose Global (2026). Microplastic migration from food and beverage packaging (reported May 2026). Forbes.
- Qian N, Gao X, Lang X, et al. (2024). Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
- Winkler A, Santo N, Ortenzi MA, et al. (2022). Does mechanical stress cause microplastic release from plastic water bottles?. Water Research.
- Hernandez LM, Xu EG, Larsson HCE, et al. (2019). Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Environmental Science & Technology.