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Glass jars have been used for jam for many years. Normally/Photodisc/Getty Images
The Glass Packaging Institute champions the use of glass as a packaging material. Unlike some packaging materials, glass will not leach chemicals into foods when heated, President Joseph Cattaneo asserts, and it can also be recycled endlessly. Glass is used to package many things in our shops and supermarkets, including drinks, sauces, jams, spreads, oils, and spices. Glass, though, does have some disadvantages as a packaging material.
Weight
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Glass is heavy compared to some packaging materials, which means more trips by road, rail, sea, or air are needed to transport items packaged in glass. This, in turn, means a greater environmental impact. Further, the extra transport costs are passed onto consumers. Not only is glass heavier to transport for the companies moving it from A to B, but it is also heavier for consumers carrying it from purchase point to home.
Fragility and Slipperiness
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As we all learn at an early age, glass smashes easily. If you accidentally knock a glass item onto a hard floor, chances are it will break into lots of pieces, leaving you with a mess to clear up. Companies that use glass packaging have to take extra care at all stages of manufacturing and transportation. Further, glass is more slippery to the touch than some other packaging materials, which means it is more likely to be dropped more often than other packaging materials.
Dangerous When Broken
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Unlike some other packaging materials, glass is dangerous when broken. Broken glass can cause cuts, which can even be life threatening. This danger has implications for factory workers, transportation operatives, shop workers, and customers alike.
Fewer Colors
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Glass is available in fewer colors than some other packaging materials. Clear, green, and brown are the main colors available for glass whereas cardboard can be printed in a very large range of colors.
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