A common argument is: “But glass bottles are also expensive, and people don’t complain about that!” True, but glass is heavy and fragile. Aluminum is light and dent-resistant, yet it still costs more than glass in many cases. Why? Because the aluminum industry is a global oligopoly controlled by a few giants.
There is essentially a global aluminum cartel that dictates prices. When the pandemic hit and everyone started buying canned seltzer, the price of aluminum skyrocketed. Canned water brands didn’t absorb the cost; they passed it to you, the eco-conscious customer.
You are a captive audience. You can’t switch to another metal water container easily, so they charge what the market will bear. And the market is willing to bear a lot to feel good about staying hydrated.
The Final Sip
So, is canned water a scam? Not exactly. It is a solution to a problem we created (plastic pollution) that is being sold back to us at a premium. It’s like paying for a bandage after you broke a window you threw a rock through.
If you really want to save money, buy a reusable stainless steel bottle. Fill it from the tap. It costs pennies. But if you want the experience—that satisfying thwack of opening a can that sounds like a soda—you will pay the premium.
Just know that the next time you see a $2 can of water, you aren’t buying hydration. You are buying aluminum, logistics, marketing, and a tiny bit of permission to feel good about yourself. The water is just the free bonus that comes with the can.
And honestly? Sometimes that’s worth the price. Just don’t pretend you’re just drinking water. You’re drinking brand identity. Cheers.
