Eco Myth Bust of the Month: Is Glass Always the Greener Choice?
Eco Myth Bust of the Month: Is Glass Always the Greener Choice?
Eco Myth Bust of the Month: Is Glass Always the Greener Choice?
When it comes to sustainable packaging, glass has long been viewed as the “greener” option. Its natural look and history of recyclability makes it appealing to brands and consumers alike. But sustainability isn’t about appearances, it’s about measurable impacts. And when we take a closer look, the assumption that glass is automatically the most sustainable choice doesn’t always hold up.
The Myth
Glass packaging is automatically the most sustainable choice.
The Reality
The environmental footprint of packaging materials depends on several key factors, and glass doesn’t always come out ahead.
Transport & Weight
Glass is heavy, often up to ten times heavier than aluminum for the same volume of beverage. That weight matters when it comes to transport. Heavier loads require more fuel, producing higher greenhouse gas emissions during shipping. Over long distances, the carbon footprint of glass can significantly outweigh its perceived benefits.
Recycled Content
Not all glass is made equal. Some bottles contain high percentages of recycled content (cullet), while others use mostly virgin material. Recycled content reduces impact, but many supply chains struggle to provide enough quality cullet to meet demand.
Breakage & Waste
Glass is fragile. Breakage during transport or on the shelf results in lost product and wasted resources, not just the bottle, but also the liquid inside, the energy to fill it, and the fuel to ship it.
Local Recycling Systems
Glass recycling infrastructure varies widely. Some municipalities collect glass curbside; others don’t. In certain regions, glass is landfilled or downcycled into aggregate instead of being made into new bottles.
Why Aluminum Often Stands Out
Aluminum offers several advantages that make it a strong competitor in sustainability discussions:
- Lightweight & Transport Efficient – Reduces emissions across the supply chain.
- Infinitely Recyclable – Unlike glass, aluminum can be recycled again and again without losing quality.
- High Scrap Value – Its economic value makes aluminum more likely to be collected and recycled.
- Closed-Loop Potential – A recycled aluminum can might be back on the shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days.
For beverages traveling long distances, aluminum’s transport efficiency and recyclability often makes it the lower-impact choice compared to glass.
Why It Matters
Sustainability is not one-size-fits-all. The right choice depends on your product, your market, and your supply chain. A glass bottle shipped 50 miles may have a smaller footprint than a can shipped across the country, but reverse the scenario, and the outcome changes.
Making packaging decisions based on context, not myths, helps beverage makers reduce their environmental impact while delivering products reliably to consumers.
A Practical Tip
When evaluating packaging options, don’t just ask “glass or can?” Instead, consider the entire journey, from plant to warehouse to retailer, and your region’s recycling setup. Sustainability lies in lifecycle thinking, not assumptions.