Monday, May 20, 2019
Have you ever glanced at the bottom of a product in a plastic bottle or jar to see what it’s made out of? There’s a strong chance you have encountered one made from polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET). It’s strong, break-resistant, and can be as clear as glass bottles or jars. PET makes an excellent choice as a material in many industries. Factors such as its chemical resistance, strength-to-weight ratio, shatterproof properties, and low-cost to product make it an accessible solution for consumable product packaging.
First, we would like to clear up a few common misconceptions about plastic bottles.
PET plastic bottles have many advantages for not only for the products being stored but also for the consumer and environment. Some of these advantages include:
Energy savings:
Recyclable:
Chemical resistance:
Shatterproof:
Flexibility:
PET is a popular choice for plastic bottles because of its unrivaled strength-to-weight ratio, cost reduction, and transportation savings compared glass counterparts, and its track record for safety and reliability for consumer products.
From the onset of the manufacturing process, PET is engineered to be a strong, yet pliable material that allows for its use in several different types of plastic bottles and containers. It is important to note that each bottle is tested and carefully monitored to meet safety standards. By using compounds such as PET, we can have safe plastic bottle containers that save energy throughout manufacturing, are economical to make and are also recyclable and sustainable.
PET plastic is a safe packaging material for many food and beverage products. PET plastic is approved as safe for food and beverage contact by the FDA and similar regulatory bodies around the globe and has stayed that way for more than 30 years. One of the main concerns from the general public has been the “leeching” of chemicals from plastic bottles into the products they are consuming. As part of its assessment, the FDA checks for the transfer of plastic components and other substances to the liquid contents of the bottle, which has been within safe standards.
Other safety concerns include:
Phthalates:
Endocrine disruptors in plastics:
Heat can cause dioxins to release from plastic:
Reusing plastic water bottles:
In summary, PET is the most widely trusted plastic for direct to consumer goods. There are many reasons why so many companies and brands use it. Its strength and flexibility are comparable to glass. It’s cheaper to produce and transport before and after bottling.
Packaging Options Direct offers a variety of PET products. Shop our entire category of PET plastic bottles and jars. If you have any questions regarding PET and your product give us a call or shoot us an email. We are happy to assist!