Glass vs Plastic: Which is Better for Packaging?

Since the introduction of plastic packaging, the debate has raged on: which is better for packaging, glass or plastic? Brands and consumers have weighed in over the years with healthy debate from both viewpoints. As a distributor of both glass and plastic container packaging, we wanted to outline the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide which material is right for your brand. 

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Throughout the last two decades, plastic has steadily become a more common packaging material, depending on the industry. Knowing what product the packaging is used for can help determine whether glass or plastic is the best material to move forward with. Throughout the retail landscape, you will still see both plastic and glass are used in a variety of household and consumer products, and industries.

Benefits & Disadvantages of Plastic Packaging

Plastic packaging comes in many shapes and sizes and is utilized across all industries. Plastic is most  commonly used in food and household products. 

It has helped improve and evolve products that we use in our everyday lives. There are 7 different ways to classify plastics. Each classification has benefits and disadvantages as a packaging option. 

Some of the benefits of plastic packaging include:

• Helps to protect and preserve goods
  There is a reason you see it more than glass in the grocery store these days. Technology has come a long way and plastic containers do a great job of sealing in flavor and preserving it for a long period of time.
• Reduced transportation weight
  Glass is much heavier than plastic, which leads to higher transportation costs, including cushioning to keep those glass packed products safe. Because plastic is light, there are large cost savings when transporting truckloads of plastic packed products. In Planters switched from glass to plastic for their line of peanut products and reduced shipping weight by a whopping 84%!
• Performance and energy-efficient
  New plastics perform well in a variety of applications from high heat to freezing temperatures. Since plastic has a lower melting point, they are more energy-efficient and leave a smaller carbon footprint compared to glass manufacturing.
• Cheaper than glass
  Plastic is much cheaper than its glass counterpart. It is usually manufactured in large quantities to help keep the overall cost of the material low.
• Highly durable
  Most plastic containers are designed to absorb a small amount of trauma without breaking or cracking. Being durable also helps pack more product into tractor-trailers or shipping containers without fear of breakage.

Some of the disadvantages of plastic packaging include:

• Poor longevity as plastic degrades over time
  Plastic is affected over time by scratches, being dented or cracked. It can also be compromised by excessive light during its life cycle.
• Absorbs flavors and smells easily
  When used for food packaging, plastic can absorb color, flavors, and smells of the product. Think garlic, tomato sauce, or curry dishes!
• Large environmental and health impact
  Even with excellent recycling resources across the country, plastic is still one of the leading causes of pollution. Always make sure to recycle your plastic waste whenever possible to be as eco-friendly as possible. Plastic is also not biodegradable, so making the most of your plastic products before disposing can go a long way.
• At higher risk for high levels of BPA
  While the chances are low, there are still some plastics that may contain BPA. All plastic products that TricorBraun stocks are 100% BPA free and free of potentially harmful toxic chemicals.

Benefits & Disadvantages of Glass Packaging

Glass packaging has been around for over 100 years and is still a staple on grocery store shelves. Pickles and olives come to mind as products that will always use glass jars for their containers. The beer, wine, and spirit markets also use glass bottles for the majority of their products. 

Just like plastic, using glass packaging should be determined by the product that will be held within (for example, the acidity of pickle juice wouldn&#;t do well in plastic). Glass is not only a standard in the food industry, but also in some non-food industries as well. The cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries use glass to protect sensitive creams and expensive drugs that need to be protected from outside elements. The spirits industry uses glass to evoke a premium experience.

Some of the benefits of glass packaging include:

• Glass is nonporous and impermeable
  Because of this, it does not absorb flavors or smells. There are no interactions with glass packaging and the final product. This makes it perfect for sensitive products.
• Has an almost zero rate of chemical interactions
  This helps to ensure that the final product inside the glass container keeps its efficacy, taste, aroma, and flavor longer.
• Made from natural materials
  Glass is manufactured using superheated sand, soda ash, and  limestone taken from the earth.
• FDA has designated it as fully safe
  With no ability to leach chemicals when exposed to hot or cold temperatures, glass is 100% FDA approved for a variety of applications.
• Glass is 100% recyclable
  Glass is easier to recycle than plastic. Almost every piece of glass you encounter has a portion of recycled material in it, making it an environmentally friendly option.
• Can be recycled infinitely
  Glass can always be crushed down and reused in new glass products. Most glass manufacturing companies have a minimum of recyclable material to help make a positive environmental impact and keep costs down.

Some of the disadvantages of glass packaging include:

• Transportation costs are higher than plastic
  Glass is much heavier than plastic. That can lead to higher transportation costs from the manufacturer and along the supply chain, while also adding cost when moving the final product to its final destination.
• Glass manufacturing is high energy-consuming
  This is due to the high temperature required for processing and manufacturing.
• Not highly impact resistant
  While you might be able to get away with dropping a plastic bottle without it breaking, that is rarely the case when it comes to glass products.
• Rigid yet brittle
  Glass can break without significant strain. When broken it can be extremely dangerous because of sharp shards.

So is glass better than plastic? Who&#;s the winner in glass vs plastic for bottles and other types of containers?

Well, the main takeaways are that there are serious advantages and disadvantages to both glass and plastic packaging. It really comes down to the final product and your brand story. 

TricorBraun offers a selection of both glass and plastic packaging products. We stock options that can be outfitted with many types of caps and closures, including child resistant or tamper evident closures. If you are having trouble deciding which packaging solution is best for you, please contact us and we will guide you in your packaging journey. Our knowledgeable team is always happy to assist and can run through the pros and cons of both types of packaging with you to make sure that you find the perfect bottle or jar for your brand&#;s needs.

The pharmaceutical industry has seen a significant shift in packaging materials over the years, with plastic increasingly being favored over traditional glass. This transition is driven by the numerous benefits that plastic materials offer, both in terms of functionality and efficiency. This article explores the advantages of using plastic materials for medicine bottles over glass, highlighting the advancements in pharmaceutical packaging.

Durability and Safety

1. Reduced Breakage

The resistance of plastic bottles to breakage stands as a key advantage over glass. This durability is a result of several factors:

1. Material Flexibility: Plastics have a natural flexibility that allows them to absorb impacts without breaking. This resilience is crucial in preventing breakage during transportation, handling, and accidental drops.

2. Technological Advancements in Plastic Manufacturing: Modern plastics are engineered to be even more robust and resistant to stress. Techniques like blow molding and injection molding have resulted in plastics that can withstand significant pressure and harsh conditions.

3. Consistency in Quality: Unlike glass, which can have inconsistencies that lead to weak points, weight and dimensions variations, plastic bottles can be manufactured with uniform strength and thickness, reducing the likelihood of breakage and are generally more accurate than glass.

2. Safety Concerns

Plastic bottles significantly mitigate safety risks associated with glass in medical environments:

1. Eliminating Glass Shards: In healthcare settings, the presence of glass shards from broken bottles can be a serious hazard, posing risks of cuts and contamination. Plastic bottles eliminate this risk, ensuring a safer environment for healthcare staff and patients.

2. Enhanced Protection for Medications: Beyond personal safety, the durability of plastic also protects the medication itself. In cases where glass containers might break and compromise the contents, plastic bottles remain intact, safeguarding the medication&#;s purity and effectiveness.

3. Safety in Various Environments: The resilience of plastic makes it suitable for a wide range of environments, including hospitals, clinics, and home care settings, where the risk of dropping or mishandling bottles is higher.

Transportation and Handling

The benefits of plastic bottles extend beyond their manufacture to transportation and handling:

1. Lightweight Nature: The light weight of plastic bottles drastically reduces transportation costs. Lighter loads mean more bottles can be transported at once, and the fuel costs associated with transportation are lower.

2. Enhanced Storage Efficiency: The reduced weight and size of plastic bottles allow for more efficient use of storage space, both in transportation vehicles and in storage facilities. This efficiency is crucial for pharmacies and healthcare facilities where space can be at a premium.

3. Improved Handling Safety: The lightweight and durable nature of plastic bottles make them safer and easier to handle, reducing the risk of workplace injuries associated with lifting and moving heavy glass containers.

4. Lower Damage Rates During Transit: The resilience of plastic bottles translates to fewer damages and product losses during transit. This reliability ensures that a higher percentage of shipped products reach their destination in saleable condition, further reducing costs.

Design Flexibility and Customization

1. Versatile Shapes and Sizes

Plastic&#;s adaptability in design is a significant advantage over glass:

1. Molding Capabilities: Plastic can be easily molded into a wide array of shapes and sizes, accommodating diverse pharmaceutical needs. This versatility allows for the creation of unique bottle designs that can better fit specific pills, liquids, or powders.

2. Tailored to Medication Requirements: Different medications may have specific storage or dispensing requirements. Plastic&#;s versatility enables the production of bottles with built-in features like droppers, squeezable sides, or specific opening mechanisms that facilitate easier dispensing.

3. Aesthetic and Functional Design: Beyond practicality, the design of plastic bottles can be tailored for aesthetic appeal, with sleek contours and ergonomic shapes that enhance user experience.

2. Customization Options

The ability to customize plastic bottles offers significant advantages:

1. Color Variations: Plastic bottles can be produced in a variety of colors, aiding in the categorization of medications and enhancing brand recognition. Colored plastics can also protect light-sensitive contents from UV damage.

2. Labeling and Branding: Plastic surfaces are conducive to various labeling techniques, from simple adhesive labels to sophisticated in-mold labeling. This flexibility allows for high-quality, durable branding that doesn&#;t easily wear off or tear, as can be the case with glass bottles.

3. Material Innovations: Recent innovations in plastic materials include the development of biodegradable plastics and plastics with enhanced barrier properties, allowing for customization not just in appearance but in functionality as well.

4. Enhanced User Experience: Custom features like child-resistant caps, easy-open lids, and tactile surfaces for the visually impaired can be seamlessly integrated into the plastic bottle design, significantly enhancing user experience and safety.

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Environmental Considerations

1. Recycling and Reusability

Plastic&#;s potential for recycling and reusability offers a path towards more sustainable pharmaceutical packaging:

1. Improved Recycling Processes: Advances in recycling technologies have made it easier and more efficient to recycle plastic bottles. This reduces the volume of new material needed and minimizes waste.

2. Circular Economy Contribution: The use of recyclable plastics in pharmaceutical packaging aligns with the principles of a circular economy. This approach emphasizes reusing materials to minimize waste and reduce the environmental impact.

3. Biodegradable Options: The development of biodegradable plastics marks a significant step in reducing the environmental footprint of pharmaceutical packaging. These materials decompose more quickly than traditional plastics, lessening their impact on landfills and ecosystems.

2. Lower Carbon Footprint

The environmental impact of packaging materials extends beyond waste management:

1. Energy Efficiency in Production: The production of plastic bottles generally consumes less energy compared to glass, which requires higher temperatures to mold and shape. This results in a lower overall carbon footprint for plastic bottle manufacturing.

2. Transportation Benefits: Due to their lighter weight, plastic bottles reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during transportation compared to heavier glass bottles.

3. Lifecycle Analysis: Lifecycle assessments of plastic bottles often show a lower environmental impact over their entire lifespan, from production to disposal, compared to glass bottles.

3. Innovations in Sustainable Materials

The pharmaceutical industry is actively exploring innovative materials that are more environmentally friendly:

1. Use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastics: Incorporating PCR plastics in bottle manufacturing not only reduces waste but also lessens the demand for virgin plastic materials.

2. Development of Plant-Based Plastics: Research into plant-based plastics, which are derived from renewable resources like corn starch, is paving the way for more sustainable packaging solutions.

3. Enhancing Biodegradability: Ongoing research is focused on enhancing the biodegradability of plastics, aiming to develop materials that break down more efficiently without leaving harmful residues.

Barrier Properties and Product Preservation

1. Protecting Sensitive Medications

Plastic materials offer barrier properties that are crucial for the preservation of many medications and that are almost comparable to glass bottles:

1. Enhanced Barrier against Contaminants: Certain plastic materials provide excellent barriers against moisture, oxygen, and other environmental contaminants. This is vital for medications sensitive to these elements, as exposure can lead to degradation or loss of efficacy.

2. UV Protection: Some plastics can be treated or formulated to block UV light, which is essential for protecting light-sensitive medications. Unlike glass, which requires specific tinting to achieve similar protection, plastics can be easily modified to provide this barrier.

3. Consistency in Barrier Quality: Advances in plastic manufacturing ensure uniformity in the barrier properties of each bottle, a level of consistency that can be challenging to achieve with glass. Moreover, Plastic bottles can be made of several layers (within the bottle wall) while one of the layers has a very high barrier. These multilayer bottles offer the same gas and moisture barrier as glass bottles, however, they have all the advantages of a plastic bottle (flexibility, light weight, etc).

2. Airtight Seals

Plastic bottles can be engineered to create airtight seals, offering further protection for pharmaceutical products:

1. Precision in

   Closure

   Systems: Plastic bottles and caps can be designed to fit together with precision, ensuring an airtight seal that protects the contents from external air and contaminants.

2. Customizable Sealing Mechanisms: The flexibility of plastic allows for the development of various sealing mechanisms, such as screw caps, flip tops, or dispensing caps, each providing a secure seal while also meeting the specific dispensing needs of different medications.

3. Maintaining Potency over Time: Airtight seals are crucial for maintaining the potency and effectiveness of medications, particularly those with a longer shelf life.

3. Innovations in Plastic Formulations

Ongoing research and development in plastic materials are leading to enhanced product preservation capabilities:

1. Development of Advanced Polymers: New polymer formulations are being developed to enhance the barrier properties of plastics. These advancements aim to provide even greater protection against moisture, oxygen, and chemical interactions.

2. Tailoring to Specific Medication Needs: Plastic packaging can be tailored to the specific stability requirements of different medications, whether it&#;s controlling moisture levels, oxygen permeability, or resistance to certain chemicals.

3. Combining Barrier Properties with Sustainability: The industry is striving to balance enhanced barrier properties with environmental sustainability, leading to the development of plastics that offer both high-performance protection and reduced environmental impact.

Conclusion

The shift from glass to plastic in pharmaceutical packaging represents a significant advancement in the industry. The benefits of plastic materials &#; including durability, cost-effectiveness, design flexibility, environmental sustainability, and superior barrier properties &#; make them an increasingly preferred choice for medicine bottles. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further innovations in plastic materials, reinforcing their role in modern pharmaceutical packaging.

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