1. Coffee in Steel Cans
For much of the 20th century, coffee came in sturdy steel cans, often with those satisfying key-open lids. Brands like Folgers, Maxwell House, and Hills Bros. packed their grounds in metal that felt like it could survive a nuclear winter. It made sense—steel kept things fresh and was virtually indestructible. People reused the empty cans for everything from storing nails to making rustic cookie tins.
Today, plastic tubs and vacuum-sealed bags dominate the shelves. The change cuts manufacturing costs and reduces weight, but the trade-off is less durability and zero nostalgia, Paul Monies of The Oklahoman explains. Those old-school coffee cans were iconic parts of American pantries. Now, they’re mostly relegated to vintage shops or your grandpa’s garage.
2. Peanut Butter in Glass Jars
Until the ’80s and ’90s, peanut butter almost always came in glass jars, not plastic. Skippy, Jif, and Peter Pan all used thick, heavy glass, sometimes with metal lids. These jars were reusable, easy to clean, and often recycled into drinking glasses or leftover storage. You could hear that satisfying “clink” every time you got your PB&J fix.
Today, nearly every mainstream peanut butter brand uses plastic, Brian Palmer of The Washington Post explains. The switch was partly to prevent breakage and reduce shipping weight. But it also made the jars harder to recycle cleanly. Now we have less clinking and a lot more landfill clutter.
3. Band-Aids in Tins
First aid kits of the past always had at least one tin of Band-Aids, complete with a hinged lid. Johnson & Johnson sold them in metal containers well into the 1990s. Those little tins made a satisfying snap when they closed and were tough enough to survive in the bottom of any messy drawer. They also became collectible, especially the ones with retro designs.
Now? It’s cardboard or thin plastic with disposable flaps that rarely reseal properly. The change might be more cost-effective, but it feels flimsier and less permanent. You’d never trust today’s packaging to survive a glovebox summer.
4. Hershey’s Syrup in Cans
Before the familiar plastic squeeze bottles, Hershey’s syrup came in metal cans. You’d open them with a triangle-punch can opener, one spout for pouring, the other for airflow. It was a bit of work, but it made chocolate milk taste like a reward. The cans even had a certain shine that made them pop on grocery shelves.
Plastic squeeze bottles arrived in the 1980s, and now the can version is nearly extinct. They’re more convenient, but less satisfying. The ritual of opening that tin with a can opener? Gone with the wind (and a lot more landfill).
5. Crisco in Metal Cans
Crisco—America’s go-to shortening—was once sold in iconic blue-and-white steel cans. You’d scoop the fat out with a spoon and scrape the edges for every last bit. These tins were a staple in kitchens and often repurposed for storing bacon grease or even as emergency lanterns. Their durability and visual appeal made them kitchen eye-candy, according to Dan Charles of NPR.
Today, Crisco comes in lightweight plastic tubs. While it’s less likely to dent and easier to reseal, it lacks the old-fashioned charm. The transition started in the ’90s as costs and consumer convenience took priority. But something about a plastic tub just doesn’t feel quite as “heirloom biscuit” as a steel can.
6. Shoe Polish in Metal Tins
The twist-to-open Kiwi shoe polish tin was a household staple for decades, according to Carl Wilkinson of the Financial Times. It was the kind of thing everyone had, even if they barely polished shoes. The smell, the metal click, the tiny brush—all part of a ritual that’s fading fast. And yes, that metal case made it feel like serious business.
Nowadays, many brands have shifted to plastic containers or discontinued their polish lines altogether. Casual shoes and synthetic materials don’t need the same upkeep, so demand shrank. With it went the satisfying little tin that defined weekend routines in many households. It’s another item where the packaging told a story—and now, it doesn’t.
7. Lunchboxes with Metal Thermoses
Remember when your school lunch came in a metal box with a matching metal thermos? From “Star Wars” to “Strawberry Shortcake,” these collectible lunchboxes were everywhere. The thermoses inside had glass linings and screw-on cups, making soup or hot cocoa feel like an adventure. And yes, they dented—but that just added character.
Most lunchboxes today are soft-sided, with plastic thermoses or reusable bottles. They’re lighter and easier to carry, but less durable and a lot less fun. Kids today don’t get that satisfying clang of a metal box hitting a table. Those boxes were mini time capsules—now replaced with padded polyester.
8. Ovaltine in Metal Canisters
Ovaltine, the malted drink mix beloved by kids and advertised heavily through shows like “Little Orphan Annie,” came in round metal canisters. You’d pry open the lid and dig in with a spoon, the powder catching in the grooves of the can. It was part breakfast, part nostalgia-in-a-can. Some even used the tins as pencil holders once emptied.
Today’s Ovaltine comes in lightweight plastic jars. It’s easier to reseal but doesn’t have the same tactile appeal. The metal cans felt like they were built to last—and maybe even pass down. Now, it’s just another plastic tub that gets tossed.
9. Tomato Juice in Cans
Before plastic jugs and cartons took over, tomato juice was sold in steel cans. Campbell’s and Del Monte both offered it in single-serve and large cans. It had a distinct metallic tang—probably from the can—that fans swear made it taste better. Opening one meant you were either mixing Bloody Marys or about to drink something very healthy.
Plastic bottles and cartons have mostly replaced the cans now. They’re resealable, sure, but they don’t evoke the same kitchen nostalgia. Something about tomato juice just felt more “serious” when it came from a can. Now it’s just another option in the drink aisle, often overlooked.
10. Motor Oil in Metal Quarts
Changing your oil used to mean opening a steel quart can and punching two holes with a spout. These metal containers were sturdy and lined up neatly on garage shelves. The ritual of popping one open with a metal spout felt like a rite of passage for DIY car owners. Brands like Quaker State and Pennzoil owned this space.
Since the ’80s, plastic bottles have taken over due to ease of use and lower shipping weight. They’re easier to pour, but easier to leak and far less satisfying. Plus, they don’t stack as nicely. If you ever held one of the old cans, you know exactly what’s missing.
11. Butter Cookies in Danish Tins
You knew it was the holidays when that royal blue Danish butter cookie tin showed up. Usually filled with paper dividers and shortbread goodness, it was a seasonal favorite. And afterward, it became the de facto sewing kit in every grandmother’s house. The tin itself was practically a gift.
They’re still around, but increasingly you’ll see knockoffs in plastic or cardboard containers. Even some major brands have experimented with less durable packaging. That magic of cracking open a metal tin and hoping it wasn’t full of thread? It’s disappearing. Plastic just doesn’t have the same suspense.
12. Condensed Milk in Steel Cans
Sweetened condensed milk has long been sold in small steel cans—perfect for pie fillings and Vietnamese coffee. You needed a can opener to get into it, and the process felt special. The contents were thick, syrupy, and indulgent—perfect for licking the spoon. Those little cans looked like treasures lined up on pantry shelves.
While still available in cans, more brands are shifting toward squeeze tubes and plastic containers. The convenience is nice, but it changes how people use the product. That slow pour from a cut-open can? It had its own rhythm. Now it’s just another quick squirt.
13. Cocoa Powder in Tins
Baking cocoa—think Hershey’s or Droste—used to come in square metal tins with snap-on or twist-off lids. The tins sealed tight, keeping the powder fresh and aromatic. Opening one released a chocolatey puff that meant something delicious was coming. They stacked well and lasted forever on pantry shelves.
Today, many brands use plastic canisters or resealable bags. Easier to produce, sure, but not as sturdy. The tins were often reused to store spices or baking bits. Now they’re mostly seen as vintage decor on Instagram.
14. Tinker Toys in Cans
Before everything came in shrink-wrapped boxes or blister packs, Tinker Toys came in tall cardboard and metal canisters. You’d pull off the lid and dump the wooden rods onto the carpet like it was a construction site. The can doubled as storage and a play accessory. It was part toy, part organizational win.
Now, many toy sets come in thin cardboard boxes with plastic inserts. They’re cheaper, but far less durable. Those old canisters could be passed down for generations. These new packages barely survive a birthday party.
15. Sardines in Key-Open Cans
Ah, the humble sardine tin—with its curled metal key that you’d twist to peel back the top like a tin of treasure. It was a little bit dangerous, a little bit satisfying. These tins were compact, practical, and had an industrial elegance. You’d find them in lunchboxes, glove compartments, and emergency kits.
Today, many sardines still come in cans, but the iconic key-open style is largely phased out. Pull-tabs are easier and safer but far less theatrical. That slow metal roll was part of the experience. Now it’s just another easy-open snack.
