We live in a world where we are provided with infinite options, whether it is about choosing a career, paying cash or credit, and deciding between plastic vs glass food storage. Food storage containers are a vital component of one’s daily life that’s why it is essential to buy from a trustable supplier. It is seen everywhere and used for various purposes – packing lunches, storing leftovers, and even for aesthetics.
But these items are available in two materials – plastic and glass. These two strong contenders often confuse people while making a buying choice. At first, they may seem identical, but they are distinct. Whether purchasing storage jars based on functionality, accessibility, or longevity, it is crucial to understand glass vs plastic food containers to decide which option is suitable for what purpose.
Glass Food Containers
In the face of a growing environmental crisis and economic turbulence, the future of glass food containers is clear. It is healthy, innovative, reusable, sustainable, and infinitely recyclable. Due to all these perks, glass containers have become the champion of circularity for policymakers, brands, and even consumers.
However, this unique material has its own share of pros and cons. Let’s learn about these factors in the following section.
Pros
- Since glass is BPA-free, it keeps the food protected from chemicals.
- It is safe to wash even at high temperatures in a dishwasher.
- Glass jars are compatible with microwaves, ovens, and stoves.
- It is an eco-friendly option as it can be recycled several times.
- It can be blown, injected, molded, and prototyped for transformation.
- Glass jars offer a beautiful design and contribute to the aesthetics.
- It is non-porous, so its surface doesn’t absorb stains and germs.
Cons
- It is heavier in weight, which makes it unsuitable for transportation.
- Glass containers are a more expensive option compared to plastic.
- Glass items are not stackable as they can’t fit inside one another.
- It needs mindful handling due to its high fragility.
- Shattered glass can cause cuts and lacerations, so it is not safe.
Food Brands In Glass Bottles
- Nature Nate’s
Nature Nate’s is an American 100% pure, raw, and unfiltered honey-selling company founded by Nathan Sheets several years ago. In 2010, he made honey-selling his full-time endeavor. He adopted strict and innovative testing standards to ensure their honey was as simple and pure as it was straight from the beehives. This brand differentiates between plastic vs glass food storage to offer the best quality.
- Heinz
Heinz is a food processing company established in 1869 in the United States. Its famous products include ketchup, gravies, and various types of sauces. They are sold in glass packaging to maintain their original taste by keeping them free from contamination.
- Snapple
Snapple is the most popular American tea and juice brand in terms of revenue. It was founded in 1972 and achieved fame because of various pop-culture references. The brand understands the difference between glass vs plastic food containers and does packaging accordingly.
- Nutella
Nutella is a popular brand that has been selling sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread for 58 years. It comes in glass packaging to keep the product safe from chemicals, thus offering sustainability. It contains fiber which controls cholesterol levels, calcium strengthens bones and teeth, and iron to protect the immune system.
Plastic Food Containers
People have been using and reusing plastic containers to prevent food waste for a long time. Although this material is infamous for having a negative effect on the environment, we cannot deny its perks. Since plastic is available in various types, if you pick it wisely, its benefits can easily outweigh its downsides.
Besides being ideal for transporting food, plastic food storage jars and bottles can be cleaned and reused. But it doesn’t mean it has no cons. Let’s learn about the pros and cons of using plastic in the next section.
Pros
- It is light in weight, which makes it suitable to carry around.
- It is shatter-proof, so nothing happens if it is knocked over.
- It is a more affordable option compared to glass.
- It can be actualized according to different packaging ideas.
- It is space-saving, so it offers plenty of room for storage.
- It can be recycled several times to produce new products.
- It is ideal for medical packaging as it does not contaminate.
Cons
- It contaminates food by transferring harmful chemicals.
- It may get warped when it comes in contact with hot items.
- It can absorb the stains and smells of different food items.
- It is not safe to wash in a dishwasher at high temperatures.
- It can lose color and gain scratch if used for a long time.
Food Brands In Plastic Containers
- Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a multinational beverage brand founded in 1892 in Georgia. It sells costa coffee, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices, and its most popular carbonated soft drink in glass soda bottles.
- Kellogg’s
Kellogg’s is the most famous brand selling healthy and nutritional food products in plastic vs glass food storage bottles. It currently uses only recycled cardboard. 76% of its packaging is recyclable; by the end of 2025, it aims to make 100% of it recyclable or compostable.
- Atomic Fireballs Candy
In 1954, Nello Ferrara, the offspring of Salvatore Ferrara who founded the Ferrara Candy Company, invented the Atomic Fireball in order to offer spicy candy to a wide audience. Initially, their production could only make 200 cases per day. In less than a month’s time, orders had broken 50,000 cases in one day. It wasn’t long before the Atomic Fireball was renowned worldwide and has since kept its status unchanged. Atomic Fireballs are individually wrapped in bulk bags and a plastic tub, which is suitable for shipping and taking away.
Plastic Vs. Glass Containers For Food Storage
Any individual or business selling food or snacks must know about glass vs plastic food containers to make the right choice. Although food and snacks are a rapidly growing segment of the industry, their packaging concerns manufacturers the most. It is so because food is prone to oxidation, resulting in nutrient substance and vitamin loss and changes in taste and appearance. Such changes frequently occur while processing, packaging, transportation, or storage.
Glass Container Packaging
Food and snacks sold in glass bottles offer several benefits, including non-toxicity, no odor, transparency, and an excellent barrier against harmful chemicals. These containers are airtight, inexpensive, heat, low temperature, pressure, and cleaning resistant. They also provide perks in terms of hygiene, freshness, and recyclability.
But glass jars are heavy, easy to break, have a high transportation cost, and are difficult to print.
Plastic Container Packaging
Food and beverage are also sold in four types of plastic containers, including PE, PP, PVC, and PET, to help users understand the difference between plastic vs glass food storage. PE offers excellent airtightness, chemical resistance, and heat-sealing properties. PVC containers are ideal for soda drinks and candies. PP is a popular packaging material as it is resistant to heat sterilization.
Lastly, there is PET bottles and jars are unbreakable, lightweight, and visually appealing. PET bottles offer practicality, allowing them to stand out in manageability and robustness.
Roetell – Glass Food Storage Containers Manufacturer In China
Rotell is a renowned glass food storage container manufacturer established in 1984 in China. It manufactures and distributes glass bottles, jars, containers, flasks, tug, and tins for packing candies, snacks, nuts, juices, water, milk, yogurt, wine, beer, spirit, soda, vinegar, perfume, lotion, essential oil, nail polish, and various other items.
The brand has been supplying companies with food-grade and ISO-certified bottles in different shapes and sizes. It has been working as a trustworthy food storage jars manufacturer and supplier in China for over three decades, offering various customization and design services.
The glass bottles offered by Roetell are BPA-free, so they can be used for packing all kinds of food products without worrying about contamination and poor odor. Their storage containers can also be recycled and customized. It customizes the capacity of glass jars according to the preferred quantities of its clients, with volumes ranging between 5 ml to 1000 ml. It also teaches clients about the difference between glass vs plastic food containers.
If you are looking for a reliable glass container provider in bulk at affordable rates, you can rely on Roetell without a second thought. Its experienced designers work with its clients to consider various custom shapes that may be ideal for them. Customers can also choose from their wide selection of bottles.
Conclusion
Though glass containers can be endlessly recycled, they cost more and are fragile, expensive, and heavier than plastic. On the other hand, plastic may stain and warp over time because of heating, but it is lightweight, cost-efficient, recyclable than most people realize, and safer.
Whether you go for glass vs plastic food containers, it boils down to your personal preference and needs since both materials have unique pros and cons. We hope we have helped you make an informed decision for your food storage needs. You may contact us to generate a quote for your next glass bottle project.