Sustainability
Setting the standard for sustainable solutions.
Sustainability at Silgan Containers encompasses ability to continually identify and meet the changing needs of our customers, ensuring the long-term success of our company and business partners.

Sustainability at Silgan Containers encompasses ability to continually identify and meet the changing needs of our customers, ensuring the long-term success of our company and business partners.
By focusing on the sustainability of our products and operations,
we seek to strengthen our standing as a market leader and trusted partner.
100% RECYCLABILITY
While our packages protect and preserve our customers’ products, thanks to their 100% recyclability they are also helping to minimize our impact on the environment.

How recycling steel saves
Efficient Operations
Solutions for today, protection for tomorrow.
Our partners’ success relies on our ability to operate efficiently and effectively. Lean production processes work to reduce energy and resource consumption, greenhouse gas emission and waste generation.

Between 2000 and 2012, Silgan Containers reduced Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) emissions by 76%. | Silgan is converting from wood to plastic pallets made of recycled materials, saving the equivalent of 133,164 trees spanning across 3,329 acres. |
Silgan Containers' manufacturing plants utilize high energy efficient light systems. The estimated energy conserved in just one year is equivalent to planting 1,476 acres of trees, or removing 1,161 cars from the road or saving 523,000 gallons of gas. | Silgan Containers backs The Recycling Partnership – a community-based recycling program, to further increase an already impressive recycling participation. Since the inception of this program, there has been a 22% average increase in overall recycling volume in 40 partner communities. |
Silgan Containers has reduced Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions by 46.5% since 2000. | Between 2012 and 2014, Silgan has spent $2 millions on lighting projects that are estimated to save up to 45% in kilowatt hours where new lighting systems have been installed. |

Benefitting from Efficiencies in the Supply Chain
Easy handling, fast filling with low spoilage makes cans a natural choice for streamlined, cost-efficient production and reliable distribution.
Less energy
1
Food cans require up to 70% less energy throughout the supply chain compared to refrigerated and frozen foods.
Stock up
2
Canned foods’ long shelf-life and preserved taste let consumers stock up and stay supplied.
Reduced emissions
3
CO2 emissions from food canning can be 28% less than by freezing in plastic bags.
Less secondary packaging
4
Cans require significantly less secondary packaging than alternative packages because of their inherent strength.
Storage benefits
5
In the retail environment, steel packaging can be easily stored, handled and stacked. It is virtually impossible to spill or break.
Lower transportation costs
6
Silgan has over two dozen manufacturing facilities throughout the United States, which allows for significant savings in transportation costs.
Helping to alleviate world hunger

Helping to alleviate world hunger
By 2050, global population is projected to rise from the 2012 level of more than 7 billion to as many as 10.9 billion people.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of the world’s food supply fills our dumpsites instead of our stomachs. With a growing number of people suffering from hunger worldwide and an alarming amount of food waste, we all need to do our part to solve this problem.
Every day, vast quantities of food are damaged or spoiled during transport, at retail stores and in homes. Improving a product’s packaging could significantly reduce the amount of food that is wasted each year around the globe.
Because food lasts longer in metal containers and can be used as needed, there is considerably less waste associated with canned foods.
Educational Resources
Valuable information on recycling, metal packaging sustainability and the steel industry.
Silgan is dedicated to raising awareness of recycling and sustainability within the industry. We connect people to educational, environmental and recycling resources, showing them how they can join us in the fight to spread environmental awareness and help save our planet.
View Video

Download pdf and web links
Recycling Facts by the Numbers
Get facts, information and statistics about steel food cans, America’s most recycled packaging solution.
View pdfWhy Metal Cans are the Sustainable Solution
Metal cans are produced with abundant and recycled materials, minimizing the depletion of natural resources. Steel and aluminum cans are the nation’s most recycled food and beverage containers. The result of all that recycling? Less pollution, reduced costs and a steady supply of resources for years to come—the very definition of sustainability.
View pdfRetailers & Sustainable Packaging
Retailers see growing demand for Sustainable Packaging.
View pdfCans in the Classroom
Review a detailed visual and written description of "The Life Cycle of a Can."
View pdfSteel Recycling Life Cycle
Recycle Our Steel, Conserve Our Environment ROSCOE. Explore an easy-to-follow factsheet and the life cycle of a steel product.
View pdfLife Cycle of the Aluminum Can
View a step-by-step visual breakdown and description of life cycle of the infinitely recyclable aluminum can.
View pdfAISI Briefing on Sustainability of Steel Packaging
Learn how steel cans offer a more energy efficient solution compared to alternative forms of packaging.
View pdfLife Cycle Analysis of Canned Green Beans
See how canning green beans has nearly 39% less climate change impact compared to packaging green beans in other packaging types.
View pdfSustainability of Steel
Discover an informative document describing how recycling in the steel industry has been second nature for more than 170 years.
View pdfInherent Recycled Content of Today's Steel
Learn more about the recycling practices built into the steel production process.
View pdfWhat Type of Aluminum Can I Recycle?
This guideline defines what types of aluminum products can be recycled.
View pdfAluminate-Recycling iPhone Application
Keep track of your aluminum recycling efforts, locate the nearest aluminum recycling center and find out how much that center pays for recycled aluminum.
View websiteCan Manufacturers Institute
Search the many programs and resources for recycling aluminum and steel cans offered by the U.S. can industry.
View website