Information Centre
WHY GLASS IS BETTER FOR FOOD & BEVERAGE PACKAGING
Glass is made from readily-available domestic materials, such as sand, soda ash, limestone and “cullet,” the industry term for furnace-ready scrap glass. The only material used in greater volumes than cullet is sand. These materials are mixed, or “batched,” heated to a temperature of 2600 to 2800 degrees Fahrenheit and molded into the desired shape. Glass is the trusted and proven packaging for health, taste and the environment. It is also the only widely-used food packaging generally recognized as safe.
Facts
- Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity.
- Legislation such as container deposit measures will further enhance the benefits associated with glass packaging.
- 80% of the glass that is recovered is made into new glass products.
- A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as little as 30 days. An estimated 80% of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles.
- Glass is nonporous and impermeable, so there are no interactions between glass packaging and products to affect the flavor of food and beverages. No nasty after taste – ever.
- Glass has an almost zero rate of chemical interactions, ensuring that the products inside a glass bottle keep their strength, aroma, and flavor.
When consumers choose foods or beverages that are packaged in glass, they avoid potential risks while enjoying a number of benefits.