Baked Beans Tins!

Year 12 Students ‘Shine a Light’ on the Humble Baked-Bean Tin

Question: How much tin is in a baked-bean tin? 

The answer is: none at all: ‘tin’ cans are made from aluminium. 

In Design and Technology (DT), we discuss all the elements of the humble tin can, its design, production and, ultimately, its disposal. We then consider recycling and other possible uses for our tin can.

Sustainability is one of the key elements of Design and Technology and Product Design. Upcycling items that are no longer in use and extending the life of previously discarded materials encourages students to consider product development from inception to disposal. 

Year 12 students were set the challenge of designing and making an adjustable table lamp using only reclaimed pallet wood, previously used LED strip lights and, best of all, a humble used baked-bean tin.  A great range of ideas have been produced and our students are now excelling in producing fully working completed products. 

The used baked-bean tin is now far from humble; indeed, it is helping ‘shine a light’ (sorry!) on all aspects of sustainability.

Mr Sullivan, DT