Ask consumers to choose between a product in a glass bottle and one in a plastic bottle, and most will opt for the glass bottle every time. There are many reasons why consumers prefer glass, including its environmental benefits and aesthetic appeal.
The Environmental Advantage of Glass Bottles
Consumers overwhelmingly consider glass to be better for the environment. For example, a European survey revealed that 60% of consumers would choose glass packaging if it were available, 76% view glass as “most friendly to the environment,” and 85% would recommend glass as a better packaging material to friends and family.
U.S. consumers feel the same. The lead author of one report published by the University of Massachusetts said, “Glass was the most sought-after and most highly esteemed packaging type” in part because consumers ranked it as the most sustainable option. Additionally, consumers cited glass reusability as a main benefit; glass containers, on average, can be reused up to 20 times.
Glass bottles also have a significant advantage in terms of recyclability compared to other materials. As we wrote in an earlier blog post, “minimizing plastic waste and focusing on materials that are not just recyclable but easily recyclable for consumers underscores a commitment to sustainability.” The glass recycling rate in Europe is 75%. While that number is lower in the U.S., glass recycling in the States is still double that of plastic. Nonrecycled plastics and other materials quickly fill landfills in addition to creating pollution and other problems in oceans and the environment.
More Benefits of Glass Bottles
There are also obvious aesthetic benefits. Glass dropper bottles aren’t just beautiful; they’re satisfyingly heavy, adding to a sense of luxury and value
Many manufacturers prefer glass bottles because of their many product integrity benefits. Glass has a longer shelf life than most plastics. Plus, unlike plastic bottles, glass bottles (particularly amber glass bottles) protect against oxidation. An oxidized essential oil isn’t as potent as a fresh oil and can negatively impact the scent of the oil. Oil that has been compromised by oxidation is also more likely to irritate delicate tissues rather than provide any therapeutic benefit.
The Problems With Plastics
The most widely cited sustainability issue associated with plastics is microplastics, which are small particles that break down from everyday plastics and are found in the air, water and soil all around us.
The most common way to ingest microplastics is through the use of bottled products, such as water bottles. However, many products, including essential oils, can dissolve plastics, releasing them into the air where they can be inhaled or degrade the product.
According to a report from Stanford University, microplastics have been linked “to biological changes, including inflammation, an impaired immune system, deteriorated tissues, altered metabolic function, abnormal organ development, cell damage and more.” A review of existing research by scholars at the University of California, San Francisco, suggested a link to colon and lung cancer. Children and babies have been cited as particularly vulnerable to dangers from ingesting microplastics.
Glass, on the other hand, does not have such problems. Glass does not leach into the soil or water and is entirely non-toxic.
Our Commitment to Glass
At Carow, we take consumer preferences and environmental responsibility seriously. Our We have glass bottles are made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) material which that is 100% recyclable and retains its quality without degradation. We also offer PCR options for many of our closures. Our polypropylene pumps and screw caps — an extremely adaptable material that can be recycled into many other options — are recognized and accepted by most residential recycling programs in the U.S.
Carow’s environmental efforts go even further. We work with many B Corps and other companies that have sustainability pledges to support an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy. We also utilize environmentally responsible practices in many things we do, including the following:
- We offer no-polystyrene packaging shipping options
- We can provide compliance documentation for our clients’ eco-friendly certifications
- We manufacture products at locations that have pledged water usage reduction and carbon reduction
We’re proud to provide products that are not only of the highest quality but also made from the materials consumers prefer. Contact us to learn more about our products and commitment to the environment.
