Investigating the Pros & Cons of Plastic Containers and Compare them with Glass Containers in Food Industry

Containers for packaging and storage of food represent one of the most popular uses of plastics and polymer additives. Due to low weight, high mechanical resistance, maintenance and easy transportation, the application of plastic bottles have increased. This paper investigates the effects of plastic bottles aspects of medical, environmental and energy consumption are discussed and compared with glass bottles. According to reported surveys, this is predicted that the growth of consumption plastics bottles will be 92000 ton in Iran in this year. Plastic bottles are not suitable for food storage because of their biodegradable property, recycling problem and their low quality after recycling. Releasing the hazardous substances in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, the emission of toxic compounds such as Antimony, Zinc, Bromide derivatives, and Phenol in water and food, are destructive effects on environment and human. Also, the usage of these containers is not cost effective because of their problems in recycling and the high cost to landfill the plastic bottle wastes. Versus, Glass bottles are made of minerals that can be recycled easily (15 -20 time) and have low cost recycling, so recycled glass bottles have a quality like the original bottles and less energy to primary energy production are needed. Therefore, glass bottles may be safe to store food.