4 Signs You Should Choose Glass Rather Than Plastic Food Containers

Trying to decide on food containers for your business? Ultimately, your final selection will be based on multiple factors, but if you're looking for a sturdy container to hold the food you sell, your two main options tend to be glass or plastic. Here are four signs you should consider glass:

1. You Want a Non-Porous Container.

Most plastics are porous; the exact nature of this element varies based on the exact type of plastic used. For instance, many plastic food containers keep out oxygen which could rot the food in the container, but they absorb the liquids and gasses from the food.

In contrast, glass is not porous. You don't have to worry about any gasses or liquids -- inside or outside the container -- being absorbed by the glass.

2. You Want a Reusable Container.

Glass can also be reused more readily than most plastics. Your customers can save and wash your glass containers and then, depending on the container's shape, they can repurpose them around the home as drinking glasses, storage for leftovers, small planters, or a variety of other items.

Alternatively, you can also take back the containers and reuse them. For instance, if you jar pasta sauce to sell at a local farmer's market, you can encourage customers to return the glass jars. Then, you can sterilise them and put more product in them. To encourage customers to return the jars, you may even want to offer customers a small refund when they bring back the containers.

3. You Don't Want the Risks Associated With Plastic.

Plastics can contain BPA as well as other unpleasant toxins, and according to the CDC, about 92% of people have some type of plastic in their bloodstream. Glass food containers can help you avoid those risks. Additionally, this can be a selling point if you are trying to appeal to a health-conscious set of consumers.

4. You Aren't Worried About Shipping Costs.

One unfortunate downside with glass is that it tends to be heavier than plastic -- this can drive up shipping costs. However, if you are in a situation in which you are not too worried about shipping costs, that may be okay.

For instance, if you make salsa, put it into glass containers, and deliver it in company trucks to markets in your area, you don't need to worry too much about shipping costs. On the other hand, if you ship jars around the country, you may need to think about whether or not the advantages listed above help to compensate for the extra shipping costs.