Yes, you can still be exposed to microplastics from canned water, though usually less than in bottled water. Most aluminum cans are lined with a thin plastic coating that can shed particles or leach chemicals over time. Canned water reduces plastic exposure from bottles, but it is not a complete solution. The safest option is still a properly designed home filtration system that removes contaminants at the source.
What’s the surprising truth about canned water?
Canned water looks like the clean alternative. But here is the part most people do not realize. The inside of that can is lined with plastic.
I have been in this business since 1972. I have watched new “solutions” come into the market every few years.
This is one of them.
You may remove the plastic bottle, but you have not removed plastic from the equation.
Do you actually get microplastic in water from canned water?
Yes, but usually less than bottled water. Canned water can still contain microplastic in water due to its internal lining.
Here is how it works:
- Aluminum cans are coated with a thin plastic liner
- This liner protects the metal from corrosion
- Over time, small particles or chemicals can transfer into the water So while it may be an improvement, it is not a perfect fix.
Why do cans still introduce microplastic in water?
Because metal alone cannot safely hold water long term.
What happens inside the can:
- A polymer lining prevents metal taste and corrosion
- This lining is a form of plastic
- Heat and storage time can affect its stability
If the can sits in a warm environment like a car in Newport Beach or Irvine, the risk increases.
The packaging changes, but the problem still exists in a different form.
Is canned water better than bottled water for microplastics?
Yes, generally. Canned water usually has lower microplastic levels than bottled water, but it is not zero.
Here is a simple comparison:
| Factor | Tap Water | Bottled Water | Canned Water |
| ➤ Microplastic Risk | Moderate | High | Lower but present |
| ➤ Packaging Source | None | Plastic bottle | Plastic lining |
| ➤ Heat Sensitivity | Low | High | Medium |
| ➤ Control | Limited | None | None |
Canned water reduces exposure, but it does not eliminate it.
Is canned water completely safe from plastic contamination?
No. Canned water still involves plastic through internal coatings. What many people do not realize:
- The liner is not visible
- It is not marketed clearly
- It still interacts with the water
So while it may feel like a cleaner choice, it is not a complete solution.
Why do people think canned water is safer?
Because it looks different.
I see this all the time with homeowners across Orange County.
What drives the belief:
- No visible plastic bottle
- Eco-friendly branding
- Premium positioning But here is the truth.
A different package does not always mean a better outcome.
What is the real solution to microplastic in water?
You do not solve this by switching packaging.
You solve it by removing the problem at the source.
The only reliable approach:
- Reverse osmosis systems
- Multi-stage filtration
- Whole-home water solutions
Because the goal is not to find the “least bad” container. It is to remove contamination completely.
Why do most people stay stuck choosing between options?
Because the industry frames the problem incorrectly. You are asked to choose:
- Bottle or can
- Brand A or Brand B That is the wrong question.
It is like choosing between two leaky roofs instead of fixing the leak.
How does McCowin Water approach this differently?
We do not sell you a product. We solve your water.
We are the Auto Mall of water treatment.
We do not push one system. We analyze your water and match the right solution to your home. Because water in Laguna Niguel is not the same as water in Huntington Beach or Irvine.
How do you know what is in your water right now?
You test it properly.
We offer a Free, In-Home Water Test where:
- We test your water on-site
- You see results immediately
- We explain everything clearly
- There is zero pressure
We do not send your water to a lab and leave you waiting. You get answers right there in your home.
What guarantee do you have that the solution will work?
We stand behind everything we install.
“If the system we install doesn’t perform the way we promised… If your water doesn’t taste, feel, or behave the way we said it would… We’ll pull the whole system out. And either replace it or make it right. No fine print. Because your trust is worth more than the sale.”
That is how we have done business for over 50 years.
What should you do next if you are concerned about microplastics in water?
Stop switching between bottles and cans. Fix the source.
Call us at (949) 569-5736 or Schedule a Free, In-Home Water Test Today.
You will:
- See exactly what is in your water
- Understand your options clearly
- Get expert guidance with zero pressure
Because when it comes to your water, you deserve certainty.
Final Thought
Canned water is a step away from plastic bottles. But it is not a step away from the problem.
Real control starts at home.
McCowin Water Solutions
222 Goddard, Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 569-5736
CSLB Licensed C-55 #1022717
Three generations of McCowin Water. Trusted Orange County water expertise since 1972.
Do you actually get microplastic in water from canned water?
Yes. Canned water can still contain microplastics due to the plastic lining inside aluminum cans, although typically at lower levels than bottled water.
Is canned water better than bottled water for microplastics?
Yes. Canned water generally has lower microplastic levels than bottled water, but it does not eliminate plastic exposure completely.
Is canned water completely safe from plastic contamination?
No. Aluminum cans use a plastic lining inside, which can still introduce microplastics or chemicals into the water.