Canned Water vs. Plastic Bottles, Aluminum Bottles & Boxed Water
Aluminum cans are the most cost-effective plastic alternative for custom-branded water, at roughly $1.50–$2.50 per 12–16 oz unit. They use 14–17 g of infinitely recyclable aluminum, contain no intentionally added bisphenols, and ship at the lowest weight-to-volume ratio of any alternative.
How the four main water packaging options compare
| Attribute | Aluminum Can | PET Plastic Bottle | Aluminum Bottle | Boxed Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical retail price per unit | $1.50-$2.50 (12-16 oz) | $0.20-$0.60 in bulk multipacks; $1.75-$2.50 single-serve |
$2.50-$4.00 (16-20 oz) | $1.75-$3.00 (16-33 oz) |
| Recyclability | Highest. Infinitely recyclable with no quality loss; most-recycled beverage container in the US. | Recyclable in most curbside programs, but downcycled – PET degrades each cycle. | Infinitely recyclable, same as cans. | Partial. Paperboard, plastic liner and foil are bonded and cannot be separated by most facilities; largely landfill-bound. |
| Container Weight (Empty) | ~14-17 g (thin-wall, material-efficient) | ~9-13 g (lightest, but non-renewable and downcycled) | ~28-40 g (heavier walls for resealable cap) | ~12-18 g composite |
| Custom Printing | Full-coverage digital print, no color restrictions. | Pressure-sensitive fully adhesive label; print quality varies by supplier. | Labeled at low volume; printed only at high volume. | Limited; not offered by most suppliers at low volume. |
| Minimum Order for Custom Design | 18 cases of 24 (DrinkMore) | 6 cases of 24 (DrinkMore) | ~100,000 units for printed | Not published by major suppliers |
| Carbon Footprint | Lower – lightest aluminum option, high recycled content. | Low per-unit at production, but virgin-resin dependent with poor end-of-life recovery (DrinkMore offers PCR bottles). | Moderate to high – more aluminum per unit. | Moderate – ~70% renewable paperboard, but mixed layers block recycling. |
| Typical Recycled Content | 50-73% post-consumer aluminum | Averages under 10% rPET in the US | 50-70% post-consumer aluminum | ~75% FSC-certified paperboard; inner plastic and foil largely virgin |
| Shelf Life / Barrier | Excellent – airtight, zero light penetration. | Good – permeable to oxygen over time; degrades in heat and sunlight. | Excellent – resealable, zero light or oxygen. | Good – foil liner works, but seams can be weak. |
| Portability | Good – lightweight, stackable, not resealable. | Good – resealable and durable. | Good – resealable, premium feel. | Fair – squishable, can leak if punctured. |
| Chemical Considerations | Negligible. BPANI (Bisphenol A Non-Intent) liner formulated without BPA, BPS or BPF. FDA-approved and EU-compliant. | BPA-, PFAS- and phthalate-free. FDA food-contact compliant; no intentionally added bisphenols or heavy metals. | Negligible. BPANI liner; acrylic, polyester or olefin-based with no intentional bisphenols. | Low to moderate. LDPE inner liner – no bisphenols, but virgin plastic in water contact. No BPANI-equivalent standard exists for carton liners. |
| Weight-to-Volume Efficiency | Best – thin walls, stacks efficiently, lowest transport impact. | Very good, but poor end-of-life offsets the shipping gain. | Lowest – heaviest per ounce, highest shipping emissions. | Good – rectangular shape maximizes pallet density. |
Updated August 2026
Sources: The Aluminum Association, Aluminum Can Recycling Rates and Beverage Can Recycled Content; U.S. EPA, Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures; Can Manufacturers Institute; NAPCOR PET Recycling Report; FDA 21 CFR 175.300 (resinous and polymeric coatings); supplier-published specifications. Retail pricing reflects 2025–2026 U.S. averages and varies by region and volume.
Why aluminum cans come out ahead
Aluminum is the only material in this comparison that never loses quality. Steel and aluminum can be recycled indefinitely; PET plastic degrades with every cycle and is typically downcycled into carpet fiber or fill rather than new bottles. A recycled aluminum can may be back on a shelf within about 60 days.
Cans are the most affordable route to a genuinely custom-branded product. Digital printing on aluminum cans has no color restrictions and covers the full body of the can, and the minimum order is measured in cases rather than truckloads. Printed aluminum bottles generally require six-figure order commitments, which puts them out of reach for events, hotels, real estate, and most brand launches.
Cans ship better than any alternative. They stack without dunnage, resist crushing under pallet load, and weigh less per ounce of water delivered than aluminum bottles. Boxed water carries a comparable weight advantage but gives it back at end of life, where the bonded paperboard-plastic-foil construction is rejected by most recycling facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canned Water
What quantities can I order?
For the 12oz sleek can, you can order either 18 cases, 36 cases, or place orders by the pallet (75 cases). For the 16oz can, orders are placed by the pallet (72 cases)
How long does the process take?
After your design is approved, it will take approximately 5 weeks to receive your completed product.
How customizable is the can?
Completely. You can include logos, photos, QR codes, contact info – anything you’d like. Our in-house Art Team will work with you to bring your vision to life.
What does it cost?
Less than you think! Canning is the most affordable plastic alternative on the market. Our pricing depends on order size and can type. Contact us for a personalized quote – and don’t forget to ask about our Introductory Pricing if you’re ordering during our launch!
Do you offer delivery or shipping?
Both! We deliver within our delivery zone in the DC area, and we can ship cans anywhere in the United States with one of our third party freight carrier partners. Freight costs are based on destination and will be provided when you place your order.
Can I see what my can would look like before ordering?
Absolutely! Just send us your logo or artwork, and we’ll send you a free digital mockup so you can preview your can design before committing. The first physical sample of your potential can is complementary. Each additional sample comes with a $50 fee.
Who does DrinkMore work with?
We have fantastic partners in the canned water industry! Our equipment is from American Canning Machines, and our cans are digitally printed by HartPrint and CanWorks. Check out their websites to see more!
Why choose DrinkMore CAN??
Because we make premium, customized canned water easy, accessible, and impressive. Whether you’re planning a high-end event, elevating your brand, or just want a cool way to hydrate your guests – Yes, DrinkMore CAN!
Do aluminum cans contain BPA?
No. Modern beverage cans use a BPANI liner — Bisphenol A Non-Intent — formulated without BPA, BPS, or BPF. These liners are FDA-approved for food and beverage contact and compliant with EU export standards. Trace contamination from the manufacturing environment is theoretically possible but tests as effectively non-detect.
Is canned water better than boxed water?
For recyclability and print quality, yes. A can is a single material, aluminum, that recycles back into cans indefinitely, and roughly 97% of recycled cans in the US become new cans. Boxed water is a laminate of paperboard, polyethylene, and often a thin aluminum layer bonded together, so it has to go to a specialized mill that separates the layers; the US carton recycling rate is about 20% against 43% for aluminum cans. Cans also print 360° in full color with metallic, gloss, and matte finishes, while carton stock confines you to flat panels on an absorbent surface. Boxed water does use renewable fiber and ships lighter, which matters on long freight lanes.
Is canned water better than aluminum bottles?
For custom branding at any realistic order size, yes — and it’s substantially cheaper. Both are aluminum, so both recycle indefinitely without losing quality; the difference is what it costs to get your brand on one. Custom printed cans start at 18 cases, 432 units, with full-body digital printing and no color restrictions. Custom aluminum bottles come with color restrictions, cost more per unit — heavier gauge metal, a threaded neck, and a separate cap — and typically require purchasing around 100,000 units, making the entry point a much larger commitment. Aluminum bottles do reseal, which makes them the better fit for travel.
What is the minimum order for custom printed canned water?
At DrinkMore Custom Water, the 12 oz sleek can starts at 18 cases of 24 — 432 cans. The 16 oz can is ordered by the pallet at 72 cases. Printed aluminum bottles, by contrast, typically require around 100,000 units.
How long does custom canned water take to produce?
Approximately five weeks from artwork approval to finished product. DrinkMore provides a free digital mockup before you commit, and the first physical sample can is complimentary.
Is boxed water actually recyclable?
Only in theory in most of the country. Aseptic cartons bond paperboard, a plastic liner, and an aluminum foil layer, and separating them requires hydropulping equipment that most municipal facilities do not have. The paperboard is renewable and FSC-certified, but the finished package usually ends up in a landfill.
Can I get custom canned water shipped nationwide?
Yes – DrinkMore Custom Water ships nationwide through third-party freight partners. We deliver our own product throughout the Washington, DC metro area from our Gaithersburg, Maryland Headquarters. Freight is quoted based on destination at the time of order.
