Everything You Need to Know About Glass Bottles

At Packaging Options Direct, we’re all about packaging! If you’re looking to learn more about glass bottles, their benefits, types, sustainability and more, you’ve come to the right place!

Didn’t think there was that much to learn about glass bottles?

Think again!

We have over 100 years of knowledge to share with you and this is just the beginning.

So, whether you’re searching for the perfect glass bottle for your new hot sauce, are looking to transition from plastic bottles to glass bottles for their consumer appeal, or simply need a handful of glass jars for your next DIY project, we’ve put together this blog to help you learn everything you need to know about glass bottles.

Here are a few glass bottle facts from our friends at the Glass Packaging Institute to get you started:

• Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity.

• 80% of the glass that is recovered is made into new glass products.

• Because glass is nonporous and impermeable, there are no interactions between glass packaging and products to affect flavor.

• Glass has an almost zero rate of chemical interactions, ensuring that the products inside the bottle keep their strength, aroma and flavor.

Benefits of Using Glass Bottles and Packaging

Glass bottle packaging has been around for a long time. In fact, our parent company, TricorBraun, has been providing the packaging industry with quality glass bottles at affordable prices for more than 100 years. Yet switching from plastic containers to glass is becoming more and more popular in recent years, as consumers tend to favor environmentally friendly packaging, and companies rediscover the benefits of glass. But, what makes glass bottles so great?

Safety: Glass is made from all-natural raw materials, whereas other packaging materials (such as Plastics) can have negative effects on the health of humans and the environment. In fact, glass is the only packaging material that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration distinguishes as GRAS: “Generally Recognized as Safe.” Furthermore, glass bottles and containers, without the addition of chemicals during production, can protect food and beverages effectively while preserving the products’ taste and purity.

Sustainability: Glass is a 100% recyclable, sustainable material. It is also considered a mono-material, meaning that it is not composed of various materials, and can be recycled without losing its purity or quality. Recycled glass bottles can also be made into new glass bottles or can be reused for other projects and materials, such as landscaping, countertops, flooring, concrete pavement and tiles.

Image: Glass is one of the premier choices of marketing professionals, as it gives a shelf impact unlike any other packaging material. Plastics or cardboard cannot match its clarity, texture and shape. The transparency of glass also allows your product to be showcased in a way these other materials cannot.

What are the Different Types of Glass Bottles?

Glass bottles come in all shapes, sizes and colors and offer a myriad of solutions to fit your product or project. Below are some of the most popular types of colored glass that you may run into while searching for the perfect glass bottle for your application.

Colored Glass Bottle Types:

Amber: This is a brown color glass that offers excellent protection from ultraviolet radiation. This is critical for products such as beer and certain drugs.

Cobalt: This is a blue colored class that is the result of copper or cobalt being added to the liquid molten mixture.

Green: Green glass is achieved as a result of oxidized iron chromate being added to the liquid molten mixture.

Frosted Glass: Frosted glass can be achieved when any color glass is treated, giving the glass a frosted-look or coating.

Flint Glass: Flint glass is clear and colorless.

Getting the Right Glass Bottles for Your Needs

Not sure which glass bottle is right for you? Contact our knowledgeable sales representatives now to learn more.

As you browse our website, you’ll also see information on the shape of the glass bottle or jar, its capacity and overflow capacity, and its neck size and description. Using these characteristics, our knowledgeable sales associates can help you find the glass bottles to suit your needs.

To learn more about glass bottles and why they may be the perfect fit for your project or product, connect with us today.

We look forward to hearing from you and to helping you with all your packaging needs – big and small.