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D5833-12 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
🥫 Steel Can Container Applications
The ASTM D5833-12 guide provides a comprehensive overview of the steel can life cycle, offering essential guidance for public officials and industry managers. It specifically addresses containers under a 5-gallon (wet) or 40-pound (dry) capacity. The standard outlines the main applications for steel cans, which predominantly encompass food, beverage, and general-purpose packaging.
Food Cans: Also known as sanitary cans, more than 90% of metal food containers are made of steel. While traditionally called “tin” cans, technological advancements have significantly reduced the tin coating. Today, about one-third of steel cans use tin-free steel. These cans package a wide variety of products including meat, fruit, vegetables, soup, infant formula, and pet food. Sizes range from a few ounces for single servings up to 1-gallon (#10) and oblong cans for commercial/institutional use.
Beverage Cans: Steel is a common material for packaging juices, non-carbonated beverages, and can also be used for beer and soft drinks. The material’s durability and recyclability make it a strong choice for the beverage industry.
| 🟦 Can Category | 📏 Typical Size Range | 🎯 Primary Applications | ⚡ Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Serving Food Cans | Few ounces to ~1 lb net weight | Meat, fruit, vegetables, soup, infant formula, pet food | Easy-open lids (steel or aluminum) for convenience |
| Multi-Serving/Institutional Cans | 1 gallon (#10) & Oblong styles | Commercial kitchens, food manufacturing, olive oil | High durability for commercial handling |
| Beverage Cans | Standard industry sizes | Juices, non-carbonated drinks, beer, soft drinks | Excellent barrier properties |
♻️ Source Reduction, Recycling, and Lifecycle Management
The guide details the primary end-of-life pathways for steel cans: source reduction, reuse, recycling, or disposal. A key advantage of steel is its magnetic property, which facilitates efficient separation from municipal solid waste streams using magnetic separators. Recycling steel significantly conserves natural resources and energy compared to virgin steel production. The standard emphasizes the entire lifecycle, from steelmaking and sheet production to can manufacturing and final disposition.
♻️ Recycling Efficiency: Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world. Its magnetic properties allow for highly effective recovery rates in single-stream and dual-stream recycling programs, making it a cornerstone of municipal ferrous scrap markets as defined in ASTM E702.
Scope Note: It is critical to understand that this guide is explicitly limited to containers under 5 gallons or 40 pounds. Larger containers, from 5-gallon pails up to 55-gallon drums, are purposely excluded and addressed in a separate ASTM guide due to their different use patterns and management requirements when empty.
📊 Key Specifications and Test Methods
The D5833 guide is deeply connected to several other ASTM standards that govern the materials and processes involved in the steel can lifecycle. Understanding these referenced documents is crucial for proper implementation of a steel can management program.
| 📐 Standard | 🟦 Title | ⚡ Relevance to Steel Cans |
|---|---|---|
| A623 | Specification for Tin Mill Products, General Requirements | Defines the material properties for steel sheet used in can manufacturing |
| E702 | Specification for Municipal Ferrous Scrap | Establishes grading and quality specifications for recycled steel scrap |
| E701 | Test Methods for Municipal Ferrous Scrap | Provides standardized methods for sampling and testing recovered scrap |
⚠️ Withdrawn Standards: The standard references documents that have since been withdrawn by ASTM, including D5488 (Terminology of Environmental Labeling) and E1134 (Specification for Source-Separated Steel Cans). Users should consult current industry practices and local regulations for up-to-date guidance in these areas.
💡 Regulatory Compliance: The standard explicitly states that it does not address all safety concerns. It is the user’s responsibility to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the specific scope of ASTM D5833?
This standard provides general guidance on source reduction, reuse, recycling, or disposal for steel cans under 5-gallon (wet) or 40-pound (dry) capacity. It explicitly excludes 5-gallon pails and larger drums (up to 55 gallons), which are covered in a separate guide.
💡 Are all steel food cans made of “tin” steel?
No. While historically known as “tin” cans, the guide states that the tin coating has become extremely thin and is often supplemented or replaced by other coatings. Approximately one third of all steel cans are now manufactured using tin-free steel.
⚡ How does the magnetic property of steel aid recycling?
Steel is inherently magnetic. This allows material recovery facilities (MRFs) to efficiently separate steel cans from mixed waste streams using powerful magnetic separators. This process produces a clean stream of ferrous scrap that meets specifications like ASTM E702.
📌 What types of food are typically packaged in steel cans?
According to the standard, steel food cans contain a wide range of products including meat, fruit, vegetables, soup, infant formula, and pet food. They come in various sizes, from single-serving containers to large 1-gallon (#10) cans for institutional use.