"This study is a resource and environmental profile analysis (REPA) of nine beverage container options. The analysis encompassed seven different parameters: virgin raw materials use, energy use, water use, industrial sold wastes, post-consumer solid wastes, air pollutant emissions and water pollutant effluents. These parameters were assessed for each manufacturing and transportation step in the life cycle of a container, beginning with extraction of the raw materials from the earth, continuing through the materials processing steps, product fabrication, use and final disposal. The nine container systems encompass four basic raw materials: glass, steel, aluminum and plastic. A fifth basic material is also included in packaging of the containers; this material is paper.--P. 1.