Aluminum is Making a Comeback—And for a Good Reason

Have you noticed that some of the most “sustainable” packaging—think glass or aluminum—is from the past? That’s because this was a pre-plastic era, a time when products were actually designed to last.

Plastic gets a lot of heat, but the problem isn’t the material itself; it’s how we use (and toss) it. Most brands design packaging that’s not reusable or easily recycled. It’s designed for landfills, housing products that are built to break or fall out of fashion.

This wasn’t always the case, though. Before the 1950s, throwaway culture was a foreign idea in America. So, what changed? Ahead, we take a trip to the past and explore the rise—then fall—of aluminum, how plastic products took over, and why we’re huge fans of mined aluminum.

The History of Aluminum Tubes

In 1841, the American painter John Goffe Rand invented and patented the squeezable lead tube to store his oil paints. Before this innovation, artists used glass tubes, or even pig bladders, to carry their paints around and keep them fresh. 

The first aluminum tube was developed in the late 19th century, then chemist William Winsor acquired the patent and added a screw cap, changing how aluminum tubes would be used forever. Johnson & Johnson made the switch from tin and lead tubes to aluminum ones in 1889 (the new packaging was safer and easier for people to use). By the 20th century, aluminum tubes became more popular because they were flexible, lightweight, and allowed for a precise and controlled application.  

The Pivot to Plastic

So how did we end up with so much plastic? During the Second World War, production facilities made major advancements in plastic, and because it was cheap to make, they increased its production by 300%. Advertisers marketed plastic to consumers, highlighting its low cost and convenience. Soon enough, disposable plastic products were everywhere. And buying more wasn’t seen as indulgent; it was actually seen as patriotic. After the Great Depression and the war, shopping was seen as a way to help boost the recovering economy.

Over half a century later, we’re feeling the environmental toll of throwaway culture. 

Returning to the Past—Why We Love Aluminum

While we can’t go back in time, we can find ways to improve our future. With every Dieux product, we take into account the full journey of the packaging, including after you’ve used them up completely (this is part of our Better Trash™ ethos). That’s why we use 100% non-mined aluminum in our products when possible. 

Why non-mined aluminum? Mining aluminum has a harsh environmental toll. (Before it can be refined into aluminum, aluminum oxide compounds need to be mined then extracted from bauxite, a clay-like rock.) Non-mined aluminum, on the other hand, is lightweight, infinitely recyclable, and comes from pre-existing, recycled material. Sure, it’s more expensive, but recycling aluminum requires less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases than mining aluminum.

FYI, not all of our products are in aluminum packaging yet. Our focus is to make sure our formulas are effective and stable, and certain active ingredients aren’t as stable in aluminum as they are in plastic. But our aim is to minimize our reliance on plastic, and we’re actively working on upgrading our packaging with even more sustainable materials. 

We know that brands won’t save the planet. What we can do is make better choices about what we put out into the world, and that is always our goal.

As always, you’re Dieux-ing great.