Posted on August 28, 2020 and Updated on March 22nd, 2022

Exactly Why Are Glass Bottles or Plastic Bottles Better?

colored variety of glass bottles and plastic bottles

Exactly Why Are Glass Bottles or Plastic Bottles Better?

There are plenty of options available when shopping for bottles but should you get glass or plastic bottles? It can be difficult to determine which type is better to buy. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of each.

Benefits of Glass Bottles

Glass Bottles are Eco-Friendly

Amber Euro Round Glass Bottles
               Amber Euro Round Glass Bottles

One of the benefits of glass bottles is that they are 100% recyclable. They can be recycled numerous times without lowering the quality. In fact, 80% of glass containers get turned into new products. As a result, fewer emissions get produced and released into the air. The recycling process is fairly quick, with bottles going back onto shelves in about 30 days. These bottles are a preferred choice among people who are environmentally conscious.

Another reason to prefer glass bottles are that they protect the integrity of the contents inside them. Glass is useful for having an extremely low rate of chemical interactions. This means that food and beverages are less likely to lose their flavor in glass containers.

Glass Bottles – So Many Choices

Silver Spur offers a wide range of glass bottles in many shapes, colors and sizes, including Boston Rounds and Euro Rounds. Both come in amber glass which is often used to protect oils, medicines, and other pharmaceutical products. Glass bottles that have a powder coating will prevent long-wavelength rays from damaging the products inside.

Glass Bottles are Highly Durable

Overall, glass bottles tend to have higher durability. While they can break if dropped, they can last a lot longer. A person can use one of these bottles multiple times without the quality of the bottle decreasing. Glass bottles are less likely to get holes from daily use. Some types of glass bottles have additional strength. Thicker glass can improve a container’s durability. Powder-coated glass bottles have a higher resistance to chipping and scratching. The strength of glass bottles can help save money by not having to buy new bottles often.

Benefits of Plastic Bottles

PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate

Colorful Plastic Bottles
                      Colorful Plastic Bottles

One reason to choose plastic bottles is that they can easily be fashioned into different shapes, sizes and colors. One high-quality material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET plastic gets used for shampoo bottles, salad dressings, and drink bottles. This type of plastic can be readily colored to signify its use.

Handles and important markings or and labels can easily be added to the bottles. Plastic bottles will not only improve in their appearance, but they can become more efficient to use.

 

HDPE or High-Density Polyethylene

Plastic bottles can withstand extremely high and low temperatures. The type of material can impact the temperature range of the bottle. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) will have a much higher resistance to hot and cold conditions. HDPE plastic bottles can tolerate temperatures between –220 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit for a short period of time. They can be in conditions as low as –100 degrees Fahrenheit for a longer duration. PET plastic can also endure hot and freezing temperatures, but it has a smaller range than HDPE. If a food or drink needs to be stored in the freezer, then plastic bottles are the preferred choice.

Plastic Bottles are Recyclable

Just like their glass counterparts, plastic bottles are recyclable. Different materials can be turned into other products like carpet fibers and strapping materials. One of the advantages of recycling plastic bottles is their low weight. As a result, the cost of transporting them to a recycling center is cheaper than with other types of bottles. Almost all plastic containers are recyclable, and each bottle gets categorized into different numbers. PET bottles are labeled as number 1 plastics, and HDPE is listed as number 2.

Glass and plastic bottles each come with their own merits. Silver Spur offers a wide selection of both types of bottles to meet your needs. To learn more, contact us today.