Glass or plastic bottles: which is the best choice?

Summary

The article analyses the choice between plastic and glass bottles for reuse, highlighting how PET bottles, designed for single use, degrade with repeated washings, creating hygienic risks. Glass emerges as the superior solution: chemically inert, eternally reusable, completely sanitised and sustainable. DKR officially recommends the use of glass bottles in Water Houses to ensure maximum quality, safety and environmental friendliness.

One of the questions we are most often asked concerns a fundamental aspect, both from the point of view of health and sustainability: is it better to use glass bottles or reuse plastic bottles? It is a legitimate question, which deserves to be explored in depth in order to make a truly informed choice and which we at DKR we face on a daily basis.

Since 1983, we have been dealing with designing, installing and maintaining water dispensers. In over forty years of business, we have established ourselves as a leading company, specialising in the construction and maintenance of Water Houses. We manage every phase of the project: from initial consultancy with public administrations to customised design, from installation to a service and scheduled maintenance service that guarantees efficiency and safety over time. The Water Houses thus become reliable reference points for citizens who choose to fill their bottles with quality water, reducing their environmental impact.

Differences between plastic and glass bottles

Plastic: a practical material but with clear limits

Single-use plastic bottles, typically made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), dominate the market because of their undeniable convenience: they are light, unbreakable and very cheap to produce. This convenience, however, hides major criticalities that go beyond the well-known problem of pollution. These bottles are designed, as the name suggests, for single use only. Prolonged and incorrect re-use exposes them to a degradation process that can have consequences.

Over time, repeated washing and exposure to heat or sunlight (e.g. leaving them in the car), the molecular structure of the plastic weakens. The apparently smooth inner surface develops micro-scratches and porosity invisible to the naked eye. These imperfections become a breeding ground for bacterial colonies, which a simple hand washing with cold water cannot completely remove.

There is therefore a risk that external agents may alter and contaminate the contained liquid.

The advantages of glass bottles

Glass stands as the alternative par excellence, offering a safe, hygienic and sustainable solution. Unlike plastic, it is a chemically inert, stable and non-porous material. Glass bottles have a number of overwhelming advantages for those seeking the highest quality and safety.

Their lifespan is potentially infinite. When handled with due care, a glass bottle can serve a family for decades, representing an initial investment that pays for itself over time. Its perfectly smooth surface is a bulwark against germs and guarantees superior hygiene. Glass bottles can be washed in the dishwasher at high temperatures and treated with disinfectants without being damaged, ensuring complete sterilisation that plastic cannot withstand.

The chemical inertness of glass is its most precious quality: it does not interact with the contents in any way. This means that the water retains its organoleptic profile, its pure flavour and original freshness, without any aftertaste. From the point of view of sustainability, glass is a champion of circular economy: it is 100% recyclable and can be melted down and made into a new container of the same quality countless times, with significant energy savings compared to production from virgin raw materials. Finally, there is an undeniable value in the user experience: the transparency, weight and clean feel of glass elevate the simple act of drinking water.

What about water bottles? A world of reusable alternatives

Of course, the world of 'reusable' does not stop at glass. The modern flasks offer a wide range of solutions for different needs, especially outside the home.

Le stainless steel flasks have become extremely popular for their robustness and versatility. High-quality stainless steel (such as 18/8) is corrosion-resistant, does not absorb odours or taste and, in double-walled models, offers excellent thermal insulation, keeping liquids cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. They are perfect for the office, hiking and sports.

Le plastic flasks reusable, such as those made of Tritan, are a light and safe alternative, provided you choose products certified free of BPA (Bisphenol A) and other harmful substances. They are less durable than metal or glass and can get scratched, but their light weight makes them ideal for children or for carrying to the gym.

Finally, the aluminium flasks are even lighter than steel, which is no small advantage for mountaineers or trekkers. However, aluminium in direct contact with liquids can release metal particles, which is why they must be equipped with an inner ceramic or epoxy coating. It is essential to ensure that this coating is intact and of high quality.

A comparison that leaves no doubt

In light of the needs of those who use the Water House for domestic consumption, the comparison of materials becomes illuminating. Common PET bottles, designed for one-time use, are unsuitable for repeated use: they degrade over time and can release unwanted substances, as well as being difficult to sanitise perfectly. In contrast, glass is the ideal solution: eternal, completely sanitised and chemically inert, it ensures that the taste of water always remains pure and crystal clear. Environmentally, its infinite life cycle makes it inherently more sustainable. It is no coincidence, therefore, that in the instructions we place on every Water House we explicitly recommend the use of glass bottles. This is our official recommendation in order to guarantee the highest quality and safety, while making the most of the service offered.

Our choice for a sustainable future

In conclusion, the choice between materials is clear. For constant, safe and environmentally friendly use, glass is the answer. Glass bottles guarantee purity, hygiene and sustainability, representing the ideal solution for domestic consumption of the water supplied by the Water Houses. This conviction is at the heart of every project we carry out. If you would like to bring these values to your community or business through a Water House or a dispenser, contact us for personalised advice and discover DKR solutions.