The present LCA study addresses the potential environmental impacts of two primary

beer packaging options: an aluminium can and a glass bottle, both containing the same
amount of beverage, 500ml.
The reasons for the study being aluminium’s production process is very energy
requiring, emitting more greenhouse gases. Nevertheless, its container has a lighter
weight, in comparasion to glass and therefore a cheaper transportation cost due to
lower fuel consumption.
LCA provides a comprehensive view of environmental impacts and improvement
opportunities and without resorting to this tool it would be far more complicated and
complex to assess the key enviromental impacts of each previously referred packaging
and to conclude which one would be a greener option.
The analysis was performed on the basis of the environmental impact of the product
from cradle to gate, meaning, since the raw materials acquisition until the factory gate,
where the product will be then transported to the customers.
For simplification reasons, it was considered glass is partially recyclable, with one
material constantly re-entering the manufacturing process while aluminium is not.
Additionally, the analysis was not done to its full extent, which would include the
following transportation to the consumers. Such considerations directly affect the
environmental footprint of both scenarios.
The environmental impact assessment categories include global warming, terrestrial,
marine and freshwater ecotoxicity, human carcinogenic and non carcinogenic toxicity,
terrestrial acidification, mineral and fossil resource scarcity, fine line particulate matter
formation, ozone formation and depletion, marine and freshwater eutrophication, land
used, water consumption and ionizing radiation.
The study results indicate that the glass bottle outperforms the aluminium can and is
environmentally favorable.

The study results also indicate that the polymer bottle is environmentally favorable compared
to the glass bottle regardless of the end-of-life disposal method used for either bottle type

the polymer bottle outperforms the glass bottle

The environmental impact assessment categories include greenhouse gas emissions,
cumulative energy demand, human health, ecosystems, and resources. Operational budget
impact is modeled based on a comparison of medical waste disposal costs associated with
contrast media packaging within a typical radiology department. The environmental impact
assessment categories include greenhouse gas emissions, cumulative energy demand, human
health, ecosystems, and resources. Operational budget impact is modeled based on a
comparison of medical waste disposal costs associated with contrast media packaging within a
typical radiology department.
he comparison will focus on greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel consumption and water
consumption related to the above mentioned products.

The results indicate that purchasing beer in aluminiun cans have a lower environmental
impact than non-reusable glass bottles