A glass jar can make for a beautiful addition to your kitchen. However, it is also fragile and needs mindful handling due to its high breakability rate. Jars should be wrapped individually in protective materials. Using dividers or drawer inserts to arrange them also helps prevent them from touching and breaking each other.
Better for the Environment
Many zero-waste enthusiasts save empty jars and use them for everything from storing bulk foods to putting together homemade cleaning products. Plastic, on the other hand, has several potential health issues associated with it. Some types of plastic may contain BPA, phthalates, or other chemicals that can be harmful. They can also be prone to staining, absorbing the smells of food and other items stored inside them, and are often porous.
The heat required to create it accounts for most of its environmental impact, requiring more energy to produce and ship than glass. Conversely, plastic is easily transported over long distances and stacked for storage. It makes it an excellent choice for those carrying their food daily to work. It is also far lighter than glass containers, which can add up quickly for those transporting multiple meals and snacks over a short period.
Better for Storing Food
Glass jars for food products are sturdy, do not leach chemicals into the products they hold, and can be easily repurposed. Most glass jars can be found in food stores and online; some even have ergonomic features such as a neck with finger molds for easy handling. They can be used for liquids, solids, and even airtight storage of homemade jams or salad dressings. However, plastic does offer convenience for storing and transporting foods. It is lighter, doesn’t shatter, and can be molded into attractive or amusing shapes. Plus, getting an airtight seal with h a plastic container for some foods such as dried beans, rice, or nuts is easier. Plastic can also be an excellent choice for high-risk foods such as eggs, prepared salads, or meat because it does not absorb odors and bacteria like glass.
Better for Cooking
Unlike plastic containers, glass is a natural, impermeable material that can’t leach chemicals into food. It’s heat-tolerant, too—perfect for storing hot soups and stews in your fridge or oven. It can also handle the high temperatures of a dishwasher, making it easy to wash and sanitize. Glass also doesn’t absorb odors and flavors from previous foods or lingering refrigerator smells, so your homemade food tastes the way it was intended to. Plus, glass is non-porous and hard to scratch, so it looks newer for longer.
By contrast, if you use glass jars for your homemade meals and store them in your freezer or fridge, the airtight seal will keep them fresh for a long time. However, glass is heavier than plastic and requires more padding during shipping. It adds up to higher freight and fuel costs, not to mention a larger carbon footprint. That’s why some companies have switched to plastic for their healthy, nutritional products.
Better for the Eyes
Plastic food containers are durable and won’t break if dropped. It makes them great if you have children who are clumsy and could step on a glass container if it fails. However, despite this durability, plastic is still toxic. It contains chemicals known as BPA and phthalates that can leach into your food. Unlike some plastics, glass doesn’t pick up odors from stored foods. It also keeps foods fresh longer than plastic. Furthermore, if you’re looking for the most beautiful product packaging, glass offers a premium experience that can help elevate your brand.
Additionally, plastic is more environmentally friendly than glass because it requires less energy to create and form. It is much lighter in weight than glass. It allows more containers to fit onto a truck for shipping, lowering freight and fuel costs. It, in turn, leads to a reduced carbon footprint. Lastly, you can reuse and repurpose old plastic containers from other products you’ve already bought to minimize your waste further.