The question of whether plastic or glass is preferable for packaging has been debated ever since plastic packaging was introduced. Over the years, consumers and brands have voiced their opinions in a constructive conversation. As a distributor of plastic and glass container packaging, we thought it would be helpful to list the benefits and drawbacks so you can choose the material that best suits your business.
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Depending on the business, plastic has gradually become a more prevalent packaging material during the past 20 years. Deciding whether to use plastic or glass for the packaging can be aided by knowing what product the packaging is intended for. Glass and plastic are still widely utilized in a range of consumer and domestic goods and sectors within the retail environment.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Plastic Packaging
Plastic packaging is used in many sectors and is available in a wide range of sizes and forms. The most popular uses of plastic are in home and food goods.
It has contributed to the advancement and improvement of common things. Seven distinct classification schemes exist for plastics. As a packing solution, each categorization offers advantages and downsides.
The following are a few advantages of plastic packaging:
Aids in maintaining and protecting items
There’s a reason why you see it at the grocery store more often than glass these days. Plastic containers are excellent at locking in taste and keeping it fresh for extended periods of time, and technology has advanced significantly in this regard.
Lighter for transporting
Because glass is heavier than plastic, shipping glass-packed goods requires additional padding to ensure their safety. When truckloads of plastic-packed goods are transported, there are significant cost savings since plastic is lightweight. Planters cut shipping weight by an astounding 84% in 2012 by moving their range of peanut goods from glass to plastic!
Efficiency and low energy consumption
Modern plastics work effectively in a range of conditions, from intense heat to very cold temperatures. Compared to the production of glass, plastic is more energy-efficient and has a reduced carbon impact because of its lower melting temperature.
Less expensive than glass
Comparing plastic to glass, plastic is far less expensive. Typically, it is produced in big batches to keep the material’s total cost down.
Extremely robust
The majority of plastic containers are made to withstand minor abrasions without shattering or splitting. Being strong also makes it possible to load more goods without worrying about their breaking into transport containers or tractor-trailers.
The following are a few drawbacks of plastic packaging:
Limited durability due to plastic’s gradual degradation
Plastic is prone to scratches, dents, and cracks over time. Throughout its life cycle, excessive light might also be detrimental to it.
Easily takes in scents and tastes
Plastic may take on the color, tastes, and aromas of the food it is used to package. Consider foods with curry, tomato sauce, or garlic!
High effect on health and the environment
Plastic is one of the main contributors to pollution, despite the abundance of efficient recycling options available nationwide. If you want to be as environmentally friendly as possible, always be sure to recycle your plastic garbage. Making the most of your plastic items before discarding them might help a lot because plastic is not biodegradable.
At increased risk for elevated BPA levels
Even though the likelihood is minimal, certain plastics could still contain BPA. Every plastic product that we carry is completely free of hazardous chemicals and BPA.
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF GLASS PACKAGING
Glass packaging has been a mainstay on grocery store shelves for more than a century. Products that always use glass jars as their containers include pickles and olives. The bulk of items in the beer, wine, and spirit sectors are likewise packaged in glass bottles.
As with plastic, the product that will be contained within should be taken into consideration when employing glass packaging (pickle juice, for instance, has an acidic content that would not be well-suited for plastic). Glass is a standard not just in the food business but also in a few other industries. Glass is used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries to shield pricey medications and delicate lotions from the outdoors. Glass is used by the alcohol business to create an upscale atmosphere.
The following are some advantages of glass packaging:
Glass is impermeable and nonporous.
It does not absorb tastes or scents as a result. The finished product and the glass package do not interact in any way. It is therefore ideal for delicate items.
The rate of chemical interactions is nearly negligible.
This helps to guarantee that the finished product within the glass container maintains its flavor, effectiveness, and scent for a longer period of time.
Composed of organic compounds
Earth-sourced limestone, soda ash, and superheated sand are used to make glass.
The FDA has deemed it to be completely safe.
Glass is 100% FDA approved for a wide range of uses since it cannot leach chemicals in hot or cold temperatures.
Glass is entirely recyclable.
Plastic is more difficult to recycle than glass. You may choose glass that is better for the environment because almost all of it contains some recycled material.
Infinite recycling potential
Glass is always recyclable and may be smashed down to make new glass goods. In an effort to save costs and have a beneficial environmental impact, the majority of glass production enterprises use at least some recyclable material.
The following are a few drawbacks of glass packaging:
The cost of transportation is more than that of plastic
Glass weighs a lot more than plastic. This may result in additional expenses for transferring the finished product to its destination as well as increased transportation costs from the producer and throughout the supply chain.
The manufacture of glass requires a lot of energy.
This is a result of the high temperatures needed for manufacture and processing.
Not very resistant to impacts
Glass items are rarely safe to drop; you might be able to get away with dropping a plastic bottle without it shattering.
Stiff but fragile
Glass is not very strained when it breaks. Due to the sharp shards, it may be quite hazardous when shattered.
Is glass thus superior to plastic? In the contest between glass and plastic for bottles and other kinds of containers, who prevails?
The primary conclusions are that both glass and plastic packing have significant benefits and drawbacks. It all boils down to your brand’s narrative and the finished result.
We provide choices that can be fitted with a variety of caps and closures, such as tamper-evident or child-resistant closures. Please get in touch with us and we will help you with your packaging journey if you are experiencing problems determining which packaging option is appropriate for you. Our experienced staff is always pleased to help, and they can go over the benefits and drawbacks of each kind of packaging with you to ensure that you select the ideal bottle or jar for the requirements of your business.