Canned water guide
Everything buyers ask about water in aluminum cans: what it is, whether it is safe, how long it lasts, how it compares with bottles, and how brands, hotels and venues put their own name on it.
Canned water is drinking water (still, sparkling or alkaline) sealed in a lined aluminum can instead of a plastic or glass bottle. The liner keeps the water from touching bare metal. Sparkling water is held firm by its carbonation, and still water gets a tiny dose of liquid nitrogen before the lid goes on so the can stays rigid. The result is light-proof, recyclable and chills fast.
Three common ways to package single-serve water. Each one wins somewhere, so here is an honest side by side.
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Swipe the table to compare
| Feature | Aluminum can | Aluminum bottle | Plastic (PET) bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycling | Widely accepted; aluminum can be recycled again and again without losing quality | Aluminum body is recyclable; the cap may be a separate material | Widely accepted, but often downcycled into fiber instead of a new bottle |
| Light and odors | Blocks light completely; sealed barrier | Blocks light completely | Clear; slightly porous to nearby vapors |
| Resealable | Standard lid: no. Optional resealable lids exist | Yes, screw cap | Yes, screw cap |
| Chilling | Very fast | Fast | Slower |
| Branding surface | Full wrap, printed on the metal or labeled | Full wrap, usually printed | Usually a narrow label |
| Cost per unit | Mid | Highest of the three | Lowest |
If the goal is the cheapest possible hydration, plastic wins. If the goal is a premium, recyclable package that carries a brand, cans usually earn their price.
Yes. In the United States, packaged water is regulated by the FDA as a food, and the agency does not require an expiration date because sealed water does not spoil the way food does. The internal liner keeps water off the aluminum, so it tastes like water, not metal.
Most producers print a best-by date, commonly around two years after production. That date is about peak taste, not safety. Store cases somewhere cool, out of direct sun and away from cleaning chemicals, and rotate older stock first.
Clean, everyday water. The nitrogen dose keeps the can firm on the shelf and in the cooler.
Learn moreCarbonated water for bars, restaurants and celebrations. Priced slightly above still.
Learn moreA popular choice for fitness, wellness and premium hospitality programs.
Learn moreThere are two very different ways to buy canned water: a few packs for your own fridge, or a program built around your brand.
Retail canned water is sold in 12-packs and cases at grocery stores and online, and that is the easiest way to stock your own fridge. We Can It works on the other side of the can: we make premium canned water for brands, venues and agencies, not retail packs.
We Can It works where industrial water manufacturing and packaging meet immersive marketing. Your brand goes on premium cans, a QR experience with performance analytics goes behind them, and brands, venues and agencies use them to delight customers, patrons and attendees.
See how it worksPremium water, packaging and a measurable marketing experience in one can. Low minimums, fast turnaround, and U.S. nationwide delivery from Miami, South Florida.
Choose still, sparkling or alkaline water in 12oz sleek, 12oz regular or 16oz cans. Print directly on the aluminum or use a label. A QR code on every can can open a menu, a survey or a full Journeys experience. Labeled cans are priced very competitively for small runs; your exact number comes from the calculator.
Private label suppliers are not interchangeable. Before you request quotes, compare them on these five points. Figures below come from each supplier’s public pages and can change, so confirm them directly.
We Can It starts at 21 cases (504 cans). DrinkMore publishes 18 cases (432 cans) on 12oz sleek and 72 cases (1,728 cans) on 16oz.
We Can It quotes about 2 to 3 weeks from approved art. DrinkMore’s public table shows 5 weeks.
Ask which sizes are available at the minimum, not just in the catalog.
Labels suit short runs; printing directly on the aluminum gives a seamless, premium finish.
A QR code can be a plain link or a full digital experience with data you own. Ask what is included.
For a few packs to drink, retail brands sell canned water at grocery stores and online. For water with your own brand on the can, order from a private label manufacturer such as We Can It, starting at 21 cases (504 cans).
Mostly the package. An aluminum can and lid cost more than a thin plastic bottle, filling cans needs specialized equipment, and still water needs a nitrogen dose. Plastic brands also spread costs over billions of units.
No. Beverage cans have an internal liner, so the water never touches bare aluminum. It tastes like clean water, and it chills fast.
It depends on the goal. Cans block light, chill fast, and aluminum can be recycled again and again without losing quality. Plastic is cheaper and resealable. Many venues choose cans to cut single-use plastic and to carry their brand.
We Can It packs 24 cans per case. Our minimum order of 21 cases equals 504 cans. Pallet counts depend on can size and are confirmed with your quote.
The water alone in a case of 24 12oz cans weighs about 18.8 lb, and about 25 lb for 24 16oz cans. Cans and packaging add a little more.
Yes. Aluminum cans are accepted in most curbside and commercial recycling programs, and recycled aluminum can become a new can.
Digitally printed cans run from $0.90 to $2.50 per can depending on volume, with lower prices at higher volumes. A QR code is included at no extra cost. Use the online calculator for your exact quote.
From 504 cans, about 2 to 3 weeks from approved art, made in Miami and shipped nationwide.
Design your can and get an instant quote in minutes.
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