Shattering the Myth:
Plastic vs Glass
Now more than ever, companies are being driven to reduce costs and increase
productivity. As a leading plastic container and closure manufacturer, Pretium
Packaging is charged with helping our customers make educated decisions that best
support their business needs. In addition, it is our mission to remain on the forefront
of technology, research and development, while positively impacting the
environment and the communities in which we live.
From the liquid detergent and mouthwash conversions in the 1960’s, to more recent
examples of mayonnaise and salad dressing containers, the conversion from glass to
plastic is not a new concept. These conversions are widely documented and proven to provide cost-savings
opportunities, as well as flexible design options that are safer, environmentally-friendlier, lighter weight and
easier to handle than glass containers.
WHAT DO THE FACTS SHOW?
Raw Material Needs:
• It takes 27 pounds of glass and only 2 pounds of plastic to deliver 1,000 ounces of a beverage.1
• Plastic jars can use up to approximately 90 percent less material by weight than their glass counterparts.1
Energy Use:
• By using plastics in their packaging, product manufacturers save enough energy every year to power a city
of 1 million homes for 3 ½ years.3
Breakage:
• Packaging Digest (5/1/09) reported a food product manufacturer claimed a 90% reduction in
breakage/damaged goods charge backs from retailers due to the conversion from glass to plastic.
Packaging/Shipping:
• Plastic containers weigh less than glass, which results in lighter packaging/ lighter loads, fewer trucks,
reduced transportation energy, decreased emissions and lower shipping costs.1
• Packaging that is more appealing, more functional and easier to stack on store shelves has become vital to
the two groups of people most interested in selling the products: retailers and wholesalers.5
Waste:
• Plastic containers use less energy to recycle, and when not recycled, they create less waste in landfill than
glass.2
Consumer Preference:
• Consumers are increasingly choosing PET as their preferred packaging material, because of the cost,
weight, convenience, safety and recyclability.4
• Plastic packaging molds itself to modern lifestyles.3
- It is extremely lightweight and molded to allow for easy-to-pour and handling options.
- It is unbreakable, stackable and thinner than glass, which promotes safety and easy storage.
- It allows consumers to enjoy the savings of products in the large economy size.
1. American Chemistry Council –Packaging & Consumer Products. Online, http://www.americanchemistry.com/plastics/sec_content.asp?CID=1078&DID=4232
2. http://wineconscience.com/?m=20090613
3. SPI; the Plastic Industry Trade Association; http://www.plasticsindustry.org/AboutPlastics/content.cfm?ItemNumber=788&navItemNumber=1280
http://www.plasticsindustry.org/AboutPlastics/content.cfm?ItemNumber=636&navItemNumber=1118
4. Numerous online sources.
5. http://www.foodmanufacturing.com
What are the Environmental Implications?
Air Pollutants $1million Product
Plastics create 23% less air
pollutants than glass
Energy Use $1million Product
Plastics require 42% less energy
than glass
Greenhouse Gas $1million Product
Plastics emit 32% less greenhouse
gases than glass
Source: Carnegie Mellon University Green Design Institute. (2009) Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA) US Dept of Commerce 1997 Industry Benchmark
(491) model [Internet], http://www.eiolca.net
Glass to Plastic Conversion:
What does this mean for you?
Size
10 oz
16 oz
24 oz
Gram Weight Comparison
Weight (g) PET Weight (g) Glass
24
162
32
252
38
353
Bottles per Truck (53’)
Truckload Weight (53’)
PLASTIC IS THE SMART CHOICE
Transportation Benefits
Environmental Benefits
Safety Benefits
Shelf Space Benefits
Fewer trucks on the road
Reduced emissions
Better gas mileage
Up to 13% bottles per truck improvement
Up to 90% truckload weight improvement
Less breakage
Reduced liability
Lower insurance premiums
23% less air pollutants than glass
42% less energy than glass
32% less GHG emissions than glass
Less material usage for bottles/corrugate.
More product will fit in the same shelf space
Reduced out-of-stock increases sales
Less frequent replenishment