If it takes seven seconds to create an opinion of a complete stranger, imagine how long it takes for a customer to compare your product to others on the shelf. A buyer could decide not to sample your product first and instead base their choice on the product's packaging, much as how a person would judge a book by its cover. Material is important in this. The great majority of 500ml bottles, jars, and jugs on the shelves are made of glass or plastic, and we've outlined important aspects to take into account to assist you in making your choice: Glass vs. plastic: which is superior?
- Perceived quality between glass vs plastic
Customers notice a qualitative difference between glass and plastic. According to participants in a 2015 research, food goods packed in glass were more pleasurable to consume than food products wrapped in plastic. Glass delivers a premium experience in appearance, feel, and weight that might be crucial for luxury fruit juices, craft cold brew, or other items that wish to present a sophisticated image for marketing. However, since glass tends to be more costly.
Glass, on the other hand, shatter. Plastic is strong and simple to use. Giving a young kid or infant a glass bottle that they may easily spill could be risky. Plastic may be moulded into many different forms and sizes, including a neck with ergonomic finger moulds for greater grip and simple handling. Plastic also tends to be less slippery than glass. - Difference in characteristics & chemical compatibility
For delicate items in the pharmaceutical or personal care sectors as well as liquids that keep for a long time, such as spirits and other alcoholic drinks, glass provides inertness and impermeability that is suitable. As opposed to plastic, it is less permeable to CO2 and O2, prolonging the fizz of alcoholic beverages. Glass can withstand a broad variety of temperatures and won't distort when pasteurised.
Plastic has several uses. It is available in a wide range of forms, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and others. Each of these plastic varieties has unique characteristics in terms of temperature rating, impact resistance, and chemical compatibility. You may probably find a plastic container that is suitable for your product and purpose among the various variations available. - Shipping glass vs plastic in bulk
Glass shipping may quickly become pricey. Glass often weighs more and is more brittle than plastic, which results in greater freight expenses. A 2 fl. oz. bottle made of plastic may only weigh.023 lbs., but a glass bottle would weigh.177 lbs.
When purchasing pallets in quantity, this may seem a little different when compared to a single bottle, but it may build up to significant amounts that affect your profit margin. Additionally, certain glass bottles may shatter when being handled, even with the greatest care during delivery.
Glass is far less practical for transporting than plastic, which is lightweight and tough. It transports more easily and with less energy use and carbon impact than glass since it uses less petrol and oil. Plastic is a practical and often environmentally good choice for shipping containers over large distances. - Which costs more, glass or plastic?
Glass costs more to create than it does to transport, partly because more heat is needed to melt it during manufacturing. According to a study of the manufacturing industry by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the production of glass consumes 1% of all industrial energy. Most of this energy is powered by natural gas.
Since plastic has a significantly lower melting point than glass, less energy is needed to produce it. Manufacturing plastic containers have become even more inexpensive thanks to advances in plastic moulding technology. Plastic recycling used to be even more affordable than the cost of creating new plastic. Plastic is more cost-effective than glass for both manufacture and shipment. - Environmental factors & recycling
Glass is 100% recyclable, therefore there is no quality loss when it is recycled, even if it may need more energy to create and transport than other materials. Because it can be cleaned and sanitized, the glass may also be used again. Although the majority of plastic may be recycled, it can deteriorate with each cycle. This implies that when you recycle a plastic bottle, it's usually not made into another bottle but rather into synthetic materials for carpeting or clothes. "Downcycling" is a common term for this procedure.
There is some debate on how plastic and glass affect the environment. Glass accounts for 5% of the trash in the United States, indicating that even though the glass may be recycled, it often ends up in a landfill. Because glass requires moreenergy to produce than plastic, it has a greater negative effect on the environment. Glass is a durable material, yet it is still formed of natural materials. Despite being more recent than glass, plastic still accounts for 20% of the rubbish in landfills.
Final Thoughts:
So, what's the final word? Glass vs. plastic: which is superior? What will work for you, only you know! So, whether you looking for a 500ml Bottle or a large one for your product packaging, consider all the factors mentioned above and take your decision.
