# Clear plastic soft drink cans with metal tops **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [March 6, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143 "2018-03-06T19:54:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/1 "2018-03-06T19:54:20Z")
I have only seen them at Asian markets. They look exactly like a typical 12 ounce beverage can except the bodies are clear or tinted plastic and have a typical aluminum pull tab top. Really cool. I try them every now and then although most are odd, like lichee juice with mangosteen or some such blend. They work really well and perhaps keep a bit cooler in hot weather. I see Monster energy drinks now have a 16 oz version. Hard to find photos of them, here is one: > **[This product is no longer available.](https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/custom-PET-transparent-soft-drink-can_1784045039.html)** > > This product is no longer available. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/2 "2018-03-06T20:17:55Z")
Cool. I wonder if those are more expensive to manufacture than all aluminum cans…? If they’re cheaper, we might be seeing them in the US soon. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/3 "2018-03-06T20:22:48Z")
I remember when metal (aluminum?) beer bottles were a new thing. I actually stood in a long line to purchase a bottle of crap beer in a metal bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/4 "2018-03-06T20:27:41Z")
Way back in the day, Crystal Pepsi came in those, to show off that the drink was clear. So they’ve been able to do it for decades, at a price low enough to be able to make a gimmick of it. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/5 "2018-03-06T20:31:55Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I wonder if those are more expensive to manufacture than all aluminum cans…? I suspect so: having a transition like that between two materials is usually going to be pricier than simply shaping one: aside from the “seam” there’s machining and supply-chain issues for obtaining and working both mats. But there’s a lot of profit in the beverage market, so maybe the price difference isn’t enough to matter–particularly if it increases sales through shelf appeal. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/6 "2018-03-06T21:23:58Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Way back in the day, Crystal Pepsi came in those, to show off that the drink was clear. So they’ve been able to do it for decades, at a price low enough to be able to make a gimmick of it. Hmm, can’t find an photos of them. All the ones I see are necked down bottles with twist off caps, or aluminum cans. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/7 "2018-03-06T21:48:49Z")
It’s possible that I’m conflating two different drinks, but I’ve definitely seen something in plastic cans. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/8 "2018-03-06T22:38:56Z")
I certainly hope the plastic cans are as recyclable as aluminum cans. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/9 "2018-03-06T22:42:04Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I certainly hope the plastic cans are as recyclable as aluminum cans. That same thought occurred to me. Not only would they be more complicated to manufacture than all aluminum, but also to recycle, I’ll bet. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/10 "2018-03-07T01:15:13Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I remember when metal (aluminum?) beer bottles were a new thing. I actually stood in a long line to purchase a bottle of crap beer in a metal bottle. These aren’t new? I encountered what I _think_ is one of these at a Home Expo in January (this year). It was Labatt Blue, and it kind of looked like a bottle, but was made from aluminium, and had a screw-off cap. I’m not sure whether to call it a bottle or can. I’d never seen one of these in my life before then. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/11 "2018-03-07T01:18:58Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It’s possible that I’m conflating two different drinks, but I’ve definitely seen something in plastic cans. I’ve seen kidney beans in plastic cans with metal tops. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/12 "2018-03-07T02:22:57Z")
New York Seltzer brand tried those sort of cans for a bit in the 80’s, must not have been whatever they hoped to get out of them, as they didn’t last long and they mostly stuck to their mini bottles. Somehow I happened to think of this a month or two back and managed to find pictures of them on some site devoted to “can collecting” or some some other nutty hobby, but darned if i can find it now. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/13 "2018-03-07T02:59:05Z")
I have seen these before but I can’t think of where. One of the vendors at Pax East, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/14 "2018-03-07T05:03:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It’s possible that I’m conflating two different drinks, but I’ve definitely seen something in plastic cans. Well, if you want to to try one, they have a good variety at the Park To Shop Asian market at 30th and Paine. And pick up some uterus and a live turtle for good measure. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/15 "2018-03-07T05:28:20Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > Cool. > > I wonder if those are more expensive to manufacture than all aluminum cans…? > > If they’re cheaper, we might be seeing them in the US soon. Trump wants to put tariffs on aluminum, so if so, maybe they’ll become cheaper. Some cheap beers come in plastic, especially sold near beaches that forbid glass. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I certainly hope the plastic cans are as recyclable as aluminum cans. Aluminum is much more efficient to recycle than plastic. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/16 "2018-03-07T05:35:22Z")
A few example photos here: > **[reddit.com: search results - plastic+metal+can](https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/search?q=plastic%2Bmetal%2Bcan&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all)** > > r/mildlyinteresting: Aww, cripes. I didn't know I'd have to write a description. How many words is that so far, like a hundred? Soooo, yeah. Mildly … ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/17 "2018-03-07T05:57:24Z")
nm wrong thread ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/18 "2018-03-07T12:46:04Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I wonder if those are more expensive to manufacture than all aluminum cans…? One of the reddit threads in the link posted above links to [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUhisi2FBuw) video. I had no idea that stamping out the can requires so many steps. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/19 "2018-03-07T13:02:55Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > I have only seen them at Asian markets. They look exactly like a typical 12 ounce beverage can except the bodies are clear or tinted plastic and have a typical aluminum pull tab top. Huh. When I was on Okinawa \ decades ago ago you couldn’t find soda in 12-ounce cans. They were a bit shorter and smaller in diameter, 250 or maybe even 200-ml. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143/20 "2018-03-07T17:08:15Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > One of the reddit threads in the link posted above links to [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUhisi2FBuw) video. I had no idea that stamping out the can requires so many steps. Thanks for that- new YouTube subscription for me. That was absolutely fascinating. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-plastic-soft-drink-cans-with-metal-tops/810143.md?page=2)