When you think about an amber glass jug, you probably imagine it containing a fresh batch of moonshine or some old-timey pharmacy elixir. While they are certainly used for those applications, glass jugs and bottles can be used for so much more. Often found holding beer, soda, wine, essential oils, medicinal syrups and more, they are a common choice for several reasons.
Amber glass jugs offer several unique benefits for storing and shipping certain liquids. Read on to learn the benefits of using these little brown jugs.
Protection for Light-Sensitive Products
One of the primary benefits of a glass bottle is that it provides excellent UV protection. UV rays can cause photooxidation, which alters the components that make up certain products. This process is what makes beer turn “skunky.” By using an amber glass bottle or jug, you can protect your product from spoiling.
Unlike blue and clear glass, amber glass also protects products from blue light. While there are both positives and negative aspects to blue light, the main concern with any type of light exposure is the type of photochemical reaction that may occur. By choosing amber bottles as opposed to any other color, you can protect your products both from UV light and blue light.
In many instances, products stored in amber glass bottles have greater longevity than those stored in clear containers. From ensuring that essential oils do not lose their potency to preventing beer from turning skunky, amber glass does a great job of extending the life of the products they store.
Safer Material Interaction
Glass is a natural material, so there are no chemicals that can leach from it into your product. It also stands up better to products that may break down plastic bottles, such as essential oils and fragrance oils. Since it doesn’t react with chemicals or other substances, there is no risk of a dangerous interaction.
Plastic bottles are made from chemicals that can leach into your product. While this may not be important if you are storing things like cleaning products, it is a major concern when storing products that will be ingested or applied to the skin. This is why many beverages, medications and skincare products are packaged in glass rather than plastic.
Ease of Recycling and Reuse
Glass packaging is often easier to recycle than plastic bottles or jugs. The vast majority of municipal recycling programs accept glass, so your customers can avoid the hassle of trying to find a recycling center that accepts a certain type of plastic.
While plastic containers are often designed only for one-time use, glass can be used over and over. It is a durable material that can be used for decades without degrading — so long as it doesn’t get broken, of course. Unlike plastic, it is nonporous and will not absorb residual fragrances or flavors. Glass bottles can safely be cleaned in dishwashers, and it’s easy to see if they are sufficiently clean.
Style
When you want to make a strong impression, amber glass bottles are a much better choice than plastic. Whether you are going for a sleek, modern look or you are trying to evoke feelings of an old-time apothecary, you can achieve your desired aesthetic using amber glass bottles. They can easily be personalized using custom labels, and the classic look of a glass jug or bottle is never goes out of style.
Versatility
Amber glass bottles come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and styles. From 4-oz amber glass bottles that are suitable for storing skincare products to larger jugs that can hold up to a gallon of your favorite beverage, there are options suitable for virtually any application. There are also several options for lids and accessories like pouring inserts and tamper-evident seals.
These bottles can also be used to store chemicals and raw materials. If you work in the beauty industry, for example, you can use them to store your fragrance oils to prevent them from losing their scent. And because glass containers are chemically inert, they can be used to store many strong acids and bases.
Conclusion
When you need to ship or store liquid products, amber glass jugs and bottles are an excellent choice. They are food safe, and they do not contain chemicals that can leach into your product. They also can be cleaned and reused several times, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic containers.
