Glass packaging in Europe is on the rise! This is surely down to consumers waking up to the fact that plastic waste is causing damage to our environment, especially our oceans and costal areas, where tonnes and tonnes of plastic packaging is washing up on shores and injuring animals that live in that environment. Glass offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to many brands who have long been using plastic, as it does offer the similar properties of strength and durability whilst also providing a more luxurious feel in hand.
Making the switch to glass from plastic can be a big decision for businesses, as glass is more expensive, meaning that the additional costs may need to be absorbed by the business or passed onto the customers. However there is the strong possibility, based on figures coming from businesses that have made the switch, that your sales will grow due to new eco-conscious consumers switching to your brand!
The Trends
This statement isn’t just based on a feeling, we’ve got cold hard facts to back it up…
Did You Know?
- The largest home deliverer of milk in the UK, Milk & More, have seen 15,000 new customers since the start of 2018, of which 90% are ordering milk in glass bottles. The BBC spoke to 20 milk delivery businesses and 17 of those said that they have seen an increase in sales for milk in glass bottles this year;
- A survey carried out in 2016 found that 1 in 2 Europeans say that they use more glass than the 3 years previously. It also found that 75% of Europeans view glass as the most environmentally friendly packaging;
- Between 2018-2022, it is estimated that the glass packaging industry will have a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 2%, according to Technavio analysts;
- 20.9 million tonnes (equivalent to 75.9 billion units) of glass packaging was produced in Europe for the EU and international food and drink markets in 2016;
- Glass is the 3rd most recyclable packaging material, after paper and metal;
- 70% of glass packaging produced in Europe comes from recycled glass.
Thinking of making the switch to glass?
We’ve got a massive array of packaging options for you to choose from here at Ampulla. The beauty with glass packaging is that it often is available in many traditional designs to evoke feelings of days gone by. This is great for food and drink products that use traditional recipes, have a long heritage or are made using local ingredients.
Our Swing Top Bottles are a great example of this, with the clasp and stopper design first patented in the 1870’s, making them fantastic classically-inspired packaging products. Our 250ml ‘Costalata’ Swing Top Bottles feature beautiful faceted glass bodies and start from only £2.42 each! Another rustic styled bottle is our 200ml Frescor Juice Bottle, which is based on the style of milk bottles from the 50’s – and it even comes with a gold topped twist lid to complete the nostalgia! Other cap colours are now available and prices start from just 41p each with a lid.
Our 250ml Farmers Juice Bottle is even cheaper, starting from just 33p each for the bottle and gold lid bundle! This bottle is simple, stylish and comes complete with a rubber-lined, airtight lid that locks in your drinks freshness. Finally, if you’ve got a range of jams or preserves, then our 190ml Glass Preserve Jar & Red/White Gingham Lid is absolutely ideal! It’s a modern looking jar with a traditional twist lid, making it perfect for use in 2018. Get these jars today starting from just 44p each!
Glass is clearly the superior packaging material for many food and drink products due to its strength, durability, recyclability and attractive appearance.
But This Doesn’t Mean That Plastic Is Obsolete!
Whilst not as environmentally friendly as glass, plastic still has its place in the marketplace as a reliable packaging solution, and there are plenty of plastic options that are recyclable as well. We just need to make sure that they are actually being recycled! Plastic is still the best packaging choice for those businesses that:
- Need a more flexible material;
- Need a lightweight packaging solution;
- Need a less expensive packaging material.
Thick sauces, butter, yoghurts… these are just some of the food products that are better suited to plastic packaging. If you want high quality plastic packaging, then take a look at our large range of bottles, jars, buckets, tubs and jerrycans.