Are Glass Bottles Really “Worse” Than Plastic? The Truth About Microplastics and How to Fix the Real Problem

🧃 What the headlines said

You may have seen the headline:

“Glass bottles have more microplastics than plastic bottles.”

That sounds shocking; most of us think glass is cleaner and safer than plastic. But don’t worry: the story isn’t as scary as it sounds.

🧪 What the study actually found

A French research group (ANSES, 2025) looked at drinks sold in glass bottles, plastic bottles, cans, and cartons. They found that some glass-bottled drinks (like soda, beer, and lemonade) had more tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in the liquid than those in plastic bottles.

But here’s the key point:

👉 The plastic didn’t come from the glass itself.

Instead, scientists traced the microplastics back to the paint on the bottle caps. When caps are made, painted, stored, and screwed onto bottles, the paint layer can get scratched. Those scratches release small flakes of plastic paint that can fall into the drink.

So the problem wasn’t the bottle, it was the cap and the handling process.

Sources:

• Phys.org – “Glass bottles contain more microplastics than plastic bottles” (June 2025)
• ScienceAlert summary
• SF Chronicle – “Painted bottle caps to blame for microplastic contamination”
• Verywell Health – “Why glass-bottled drinks had more microplastics”

🧩 What this means

This study doesn’t mean glass is bad. It means the whole packaging system needs to be looked at, not just the bottle.

Think of it like baking cookies: even if you use healthy ingredients, your cookies can still get dirty if your oven tray isn’t clean. The same idea applies here; the cap, paint, and cleaning process matter just as much as the bottle.

💡 How we can fix this

Researchers found that a simple cleaning step, rinsing or blowing air over the caps before use, can cut microplastic contamination by over 60 percent.

For beverage companies:

• Use unpainted or low-shedding caps.
• Add a cleaning or air-blow step before bottling.
• Handle and store caps gently to avoid scratches.

For consumers:

• Remember that glass itself doesn’t make microplastics.
• Ask brands about their packaging safety and cleaning practices.
• Reuse bottles responsibly — rinse them with clean water, not harsh brushes or scouring pads that can cause shedding from caps or labels.

🌍 Why it matters

Microplastics are everywhere — in water, food, and air. While researchers are still studying their health effects, it’s clear we need to reduce exposure wherever possible.

Reusable glass packaging remains one of the best options for reducing waste and carbon footprint. The key is to design smarter systems that keep both people and the planet safe.

The Takeaway

The headline missed the point.

It’s not that glass bottles are worse — it’s that the packaging process needs to evolve.

If we improve how bottles are washed, capped, and stored, glass remains one of the cleanest, safest, and most sustainable choices for our beverages.

References (2025):

1. ANSES – Microplastics in packaged beverages study (June 2025).
2. Phys.org
3. ScienceAlert
4. SF Chronicle
5. Verywell Health