That's an excellent and very important question. Thank you for asking. When comparing the environmental impact of manufacturing our metal urban trash cans versus typical plastic ones, it's a nuanced story of initial footprint versus long-term lifecycle.
The manufacturing of steel, the primary material in our cans, is energy-intensive. Producing virgin steel generates significant carbon emissions. However, nearly all our units are made with a high percentage of recycled steel—often 80% or more. This process uses far less energy and resources than mining and processing new ore. The molding process for plastic bins, typically from polyethylene, generally has a lower initial carbon footprint per unit. But this is where the perspective shifts.
The real environmental difference unfolds over the product's entire life. Our steel cans are built for extreme durability, often lasting 15-20 years or more in harsh urban settings without cracking or degrading from UV exposure. A plastic bin may become brittle, crack, and need replacement much sooner, leading to more frequent manufacturing cycles and waste.
At end-of-life, the steel can is 100% recyclable, back into new steel, indefinitely, with no loss of quality. Most plastic municipal bins, especially those made from mixed polymers, face major recycling challenges. They often end up in landfills or are incinerated, losing their material value and potentially causing pollution.
So, while the plastic option might have a lower initial manufacturing footprint, the metal can's longevity, use of recycled content, and complete recyclability typically result in a lower total environmental impact over decades of service. Our goal is to create a product so durable and circular that its impact is minimized across generations, not just at the point of purchase.