Metal tin
Low releaseTinplate or aluminium with a thin internal coating
The short answer
One of the two best formats for anything fatty. Fully opaque so it blocks the light that degrades oils, and it has only a thin internal coating rather than a polymer wall.
What actually drives release
- A thin internal lacquer or coating in contact with the contents
When it gets worse
- The tin is dented or scratched internally
- Very long storage of highly acidic contents
Better options
- Dark glass for daily use, decanting from the tin
Where you'll find it
Olive oilTea and coffeeBiscuitsFish
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 metal tins better than plastic bottles?
One of the two best formats for anything fatty. Fully opaque so it blocks the light that degrades oils, and it has only a thin internal coating rather than a polymer wall.
What makes metal tin worse?
The tin is dented or scratched internally. Very long storage of highly acidic contents.
What should I use instead of metal tin?
In order of preference: Dark glass for daily use, decanting from the tin. 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.