Glass, Ceramics, Fibers & Fabrics

A good bit of the cost in a product is the package. Plastics melt at a relatively low temperature compared to glass. The extra fuel needed increase cost. Not only that but broken glass creates a handling issue that causes increased costs.

With all the green initiatives unless governments mandate returnable bottles. I say no.

This new research was it question the consumer about preferences?

A real study would to be to place the same product in the different containers side by side on the shelf. With the price reflecting the difference in cost of the packaging.

Then you could see if the consumer is also willing to pay for their preference in glass containers.

The consumers need to demonstrate their resolve...

Is there a possibility of toughened glass or a version of laminated glass containers? This should overcome or mitigate the breakage problem and vandalism with the waste.

The raw materials for glass are cheap. With the right formulation, treatment and processing, this may enable them to be produced competitively, especially if the customers prefer glass, although probably not enough to allow a significant price differential.

The large scale involved in food packaging should allow cheap production, particularly as either the materials or the containers themselves are reusable.

I think that is not a half bad idea. But we are such a wasteful society, I see people all the time throw stuff in the regular garbage when it should go in to be recycled. Those of us who want to seperate the trash end up reaching in and picking it out.