For many centuries human beings were unable to store food; whenever something was hunted or gathered, it was necessary to consume it quickly to prevent the food from spoiling.
With the advent of fire, the situation has changed somewhat; it became feasible to preserve food for longer periods of time — provided, of course, that they were baked or boiled.
However, the factor that truly changed the situation was the creation of packaging; this was indeed a genius idea, which allowed food and various items to be preserved for longer periods of time, given that the packaging meant that the items were not exposed.
Among the various types of packaging that we have at our disposal, one of the most interesting (and curious) is glass. You can also check glass jar manufacturers for different custom glass and bottles.
With that in mind, below we list the main advantages and disadvantages of this type of material.
What are the advantages of glass packaging?
There are countless factors that make glass an excellent material for making the most different types of packaging. Some of the most relevant are:
- Glass is one of the only materials that is capable of keeping the original characteristics of the product unaltered, such as its taste or appearance;
- It is 100% recyclable and can be reused many times. Therefore, it is a material that does not cause great environmental impact;
- Foods and drinks that are placed in glasses need less preservatives, stabilizers and the like;
- Glass is a type of material that does not release endocrine disruptors, exogenous substances that are extremely harmful to human health. For this reason, packaging made from this material is highly recommended for baby food, such as baby food, baby bottles, juices and others.
- Glass packaging, when properly produced, is capable of making products more eye-catching and appetizing, thus being an excellent way of valuing and promoting what will be sold.
Check out 5 advantages of glass packaging for food
Composed essentially of sand, soda ash and limestone – natural and abundant raw materials –, glass is 100% recyclable, infinitely. Glass packaging is also beneficial to the consumer, as it adequately preserves food and beverages, in addition to requiring less preservatives and stabilizers.
Myeasyglass, a manufacturer of glass packaging for food and beverages, highlights five advantages of glass packaging for food and beverages.
- Sustainability. 100% recyclable material, the glass packaging can be recycled infinitely, without losing the quality or purity of the product. With the use of shards to produce new packaging, energy consumption, CO 2 emissions and raw material extraction are reduced.
- Conservation. The glass packaging is inert and does not react chemically. As glass is neutral, it does not alter the taste, odor, color or quality of the packaged product, preserving consumer health in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Food and drinks packaged in glass contain less preservatives and stabilizers.
- Expiration date. As it is impermeable, the glass packaging prevents the action of any external agent, which increases the shelf life of the food.
- Design. Greater resistance and durability allow the glass to be daring in its design, respecting the technical specifications required for filling and handling. Its versatility allows numerous design options, making the packaging attractive to the consumer.
- Temperature. Glass is a poor thermal and electrical conductor, ideal for storing products that need special care regarding exposure to temperature, such as heart of palm, olives and alcoholic beverages, for example, as it prolongs food preservation.
What about the disadvantages?
Unfortunately, glass containers also have some problems:
- Glass is more delicate than other materials, and it needs to be handled and even packaged with some care to avoid breakage;
- It is also heavier and bulkier than the others, which can end up making certain types of operations more expensive.