Glass Versus Plastic: Which To Choose for Your Packaging?

A lot of factors contribute to determining the proper packaging for different goods. Choosing the right packaging for your product means packaging that reflects what makes an item unique. Often, the material of a package is just as crucial a factor as an effective branding and the form the package takes. The two most common materials available to you are glass or plastic. Thus, it often comes down to glass versus plastic packaging. Here are the pros and cons of each in order to help you make the right choice for your business.

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The Pros of Plastic

Most of us are familiar with all the conveniences plastic offers. It&#;s a highly malleable material that can be molded into virtually any shape, from tubs to jars and bottles. It also comes in a vast array of grades which impact the durability, density, and types of items best suited to be stored within the package. Besides this, it can also be reinforced with other materials or recycled plastics. The real clincher in the battle of glass versus plastic and which to choose for your packaging often comes down to cost. Plastic is very affordable for the lightweight protection it offers in transit and on the shelf.

The Cons of Plastic

As with the pros, most people are well aware of the cons of plastic. Plastic is derived from crude oils which are drawn from the earth using methods that are very toxic for the environment. As such, the process of turning plastic into all its useful forms is relatively unclean compared to other materials.

Furthermore, what&#;s especially sobering is the fact that few plastics make it to recycling&#;they actually end up in a landfill. While it is one of the cleanest materials to recycle, most plastic waste doesn&#;t get a second life. Once trashed, it takes hundreds of years to break down, creating unhealthy micro particulates. This is a pretty big con; it can create a pretty big&#;and long-lasting&#;mess.

The Pros of Glass

The traditional counterpart of plastic has always been glass. It stays inert with virtually any material added, which makes it safe for almost any product. Glass is also sturdier than many plastics without the addition of more material. Where plastic will bend and crumple, glass containers always retain their rigidity.

 Glass is also the preferred choice of the informed public, as many shoppers consider glass to be cleaner than plastic. It appeals greatly to old-fashioned crowds and newer shoppers looking for greener options. Also, glass bottles can be cleaned rather than fully processed into a new form before reuse. This makes glass very quick and cheap to recycle.

The Cons of Glass

As with plastic, the cons of glass are straightforward. Glass is heavy, so it&#;s more costly to ship. Glass also breaks into dangerous shards under too much pressure which can cause loss. Recycling glass completely also expends much more resources than other materials. As mentioned above, the protection glass offers is strictly all or nothing. Glass is also almost always more expensive to produce.

GLASS VS PLASTIC. Which is the best packaging Option for your business?

Most Brewers and Beverage Companies ask me, what packaging is best for their business. Should they use plastic or glass packaging for their products? I always say that it depends. In considering what will work in your business it is imperative that you look at your product, your customers, input and transport costs, logistics, environmental impact, and the list goes on. So, the decision is up to your business. However, in making this choice you have to make sure whether it&#;s plastic or glass &#; that the packaging is sustainable and does not harm the environment. Your choice therefore should either be Returnable Glass Bottles (RGB) or Refillable Plastics (PET) Bottles (RefPET). What factors should you consider when weighing these two packaging options against each other?

The 7 Factors below will be key when considering what will work for your company:

 1.      PERCEIVED QUALITY OF EACH PACKAGING

Consumers generally perceive the glass to be of superior quality and sophisticated. However, Glass Breaks. Plastic on the other hand is seen as cheap, but is durable, flexible, and can be moulded into different looks and sizes. What marketing look are you going for? This will help you decide what works for you.

2.      PACKAGING CHARACTERISTICS AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Glass is firm, inert, and can withstand high temperatures. Its impermeability and inertness make it a suitable packaging option for spirits and beverage products. Glass keeps Fizzy products bubbly for longer. Plastic is versatile, comes in many forms and densities and its use is universal. However, plastic cannot handle extremely high temperatures as it will melt.

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3.      SHIPPING GLASS VS PLASTIC

Glass (especially returnable glass bottles) is heavier and costs more to transport especially over long distances. Glass is fragile and breaks and this cost must be factored into the comparison. Plastic (PET Bottles) by comparison is lighter and more durable than glass and easier to transport at less cost.

4.      COST OF GLASS VS PLASTIC?

Glass requires more heat and energy to produce compared to plastic which used considerably less energy. Economically, plastic exceeds glass in terms of both production and shipping.

5.      ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECYCLING CONSIDERATIONS

Both Glass and Plastic Bottles are recyclable, however, not to the same extent. Glass Bottles can be reused, as well as washed, and sterilized. Most plastic bottles can be recycled but they degrade with each cycle &#; known as downcycling.

6.      CONSUMER HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Glass is non-toxic and does not have any toxic chemicals. Because of its non-porous nature, it prevents leaching of any kind. So, glass can store beverage products for a long period of time with no risk of contamination. Plastic has a bad reputation for toxicity and leaching harmful chemicals into products &#; this is especially true when there is improper storage and handling. To reduce this risk suppliers must store the products correctly and at the right temperatures.

7.      WHAT ARE YOU PACKAGING AND HOW WILL IT BE USED?

What are you filling in the bottle? Is it a spirit, a beverage, or something else? What is the life cycle of your product? Answering these questions will help you decide which packaging option is better for you. Glass vs plastic might help your all-natural beverage sell better, but a product that a child or baby handles might be ideal in plastic.

So, what will it be for you? There is no wrong or right answer. You will have to weigh the pros and cons for both and decide what&#;s best for your business. And sometimes it makes sense to adopt both options, RGB and RefPET. Companies like The Coca-Cola Company have adopted both RGB and RefPET in some of their markets with great commercial success. These 2 packaging options can co-exist and be complementary in a #sustainable #packaging strategy.

WHAT&#;S NEXT?

Are you looking at introducing or reviewing your Beverage packaging? Reach out to me directly and I will help you evaluate your options.

Are you interested in learning more about pp material properties? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!