Ball Corporation debuts more sustainable aluminum cup

The new official cup of Ball Arena is naturally aluminum. And it's more than a nod to the new company with its name on the building, Ball Corporation.

• It's part of a broader campaign by the Westminster-based company to promote aluminum as an alternative to plastic because it's infinitely recyclable and contributes less to global pollution.

Be smart: A new report — funded in part by the aluminum product manufacturer — shows that all but six states have recycling rates below 50%.

• The first-of-its-kind study, conducted by environmental consultant Eunomia, ranked Colorado 35th with a 16% recycling rate for common containers and packaging materials, excluding cardboard and boxboard.

Colorado is where Bill Coors introduced the first recyclable can in 1959. But the report is just the latest to punch a hole in the state's eco-friendly image.

• "The numbers in the report may not match consumers' conceptions of recycling," Ball Corp. CEO John Hayes told Axios. "We think we've done our part because people confuse recycled with recyclable. Just because it's recyclable doesn't mean it's recycled."

The company is just now beginning a broader national rollout of its disposable aluminum cups, which are designed to replace the ubiquitous plastic ones at sporting venues and backyard parties.

Yes, but: The conversion may not come immediately because of the cost difference, company officials acknowledged.

• A 30-pack of 20-ounce aluminum cups is $19.99.
• A 30-pack of 18-ounce plastic cups goes for as low as $2.99.

This story first appeared in the Axios Denver newsletter, designed to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in their own backyard.

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