No one looks at a can and thinks: "Man, I wish I could reuse it." Or do they? No matter, manufacturing giant Nampak, in a bid to help us preserve what is left of the planet, has brought out a reusable aluminium can as part of their CAN DO! initiative.
I'll admit, I was curious but sceptical about carrying around a can (as opposed to a favoured stylish ceramic travel mug), but I was also a little uncomfortable with the idea: would it fit into my handbag? Would it end up getting squashed? Would it make annoying crinkling noises? After using the can a number of times, the answers to those questions are: yes, not really and no. The 500ml cans made their debut at the recent Rocking the Daisies festival, can be customised to suit your specifications (I have a tres cool millennial pink one) and are light to carry. They're great for drinking water or juice - not so much for tea or coffee (though they do come with a sleeve to protect your hands from hot beverages). The top of the can peels off and then it becomes like a glass, but made of aluminium.
As cool as I think the CAN DO! can is, I can't bring myself to leave the house with it in case I accidentally throw it away because the idea of a can being recyclable and not something to use just once hasn't quite landed yet. But I suppose all new(ish) things take getting used to.
• You can order your reusable can through Co4lition, who custom make them to suit your specifications. Contact Vaughn Thiel on 071-362-6109...