{"id":2019,"date":"2023-02-09T11:52:27","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T11:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.friendsofglass.com\/health\/think-health-think-glass-packaging\/1"},"modified":"2024-09-09T16:18:43","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T16:18:43","slug":"think-health-think-glass-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/friendsofglass.com\/stories\/think-health-think-glass-packaging\/","title":{"rendered":"Think health, think glass: Interview with Carolina Ripoll\u00e9s"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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WHY GLASS IS THE HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING CHOICE<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Glass is a material we\u2019ve relied on for generations \u2013 and with growing concern over how newer packaging solutions may impact on our own health and the health of the planet, glass remains just as relevant as ever. When we look at how to make healthier choices around our food, the choice of packaging material and its role in ensuring food safety and preservation is key.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Want to be sure the products you\u2019re buying last as long as possible? The choice of packaging material matters. The right packaging can protect food or drink from microplastics and chemical leaching that could be harmful to health. Packaging can also extend the preservation period of the flavour, fizz and aroma.\u00a0 Glass checks the box on all these criteria while meeting relevant health implications for the proper care of the product, human health and care for the environment.<\/p>\n

As a professor in Food Science and Technology from Spain\u2019s Autonomous University of Barcelona, Carolina Ripoll\u00e9s<\/strong>\u00a0is a food scientist and expert in food safety and public health. Here, she breaks down how packaging interacts with our food, and how glass keeps us healthy.<\/p>\n

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Welcome, Carolina! Tell us a bit about your background \u2013 what makes you a \u2018friend of glass\u2019?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since I was a little girl, I\u2019ve always liked to ask \u2018why.\u2019 Food systems are a big part of how we live and stay healthy, and I find it fascinating how we can find better, healthier ways of improving our current systems. I chose to study food safety, evaluating how different contact materials interact with our food.<\/p>\n

We all know food packaging has evolved very quickly in recent years. For a time, glass and wood \u2013the predominant packaging a hundred years ago \u2013 were being replaced by plastic. However, nowadays, the possibilities of recycling, reuse and low quantity of foreign elements in glass have brought it back to the forefront for environmental and health reasons.<\/p>\n

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IMPORTANCE OF PACKAGING MATERIAL FOR FOOD SAFETY<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We know people are becoming more focused on the importance of sustainability in their daily lives \u2013 how does a healthy lifestyle fit into this?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Research shows<\/a>\u00a0we\u2019re more likely to prioritise our health, well-being and the environment than before, and consider these in our purchasing decisions. For many, sustainability is an important factor in product selection \u2013 even before price \u2013 and we\u2019re cutting back on disposal packaging, making extra effort to take empty containers to the bottle bank, or limiting how much energy we use.<\/a><\/p>\n

But there\u2019s a long way to go \u2013 many consumers simply don\u2019t recycle materials they use every day. With 8 billion of us on earth, if every person throws away 10 grams of plastic a day, this adds up to 80,000 tonnes of daily plastic waste \u2013 or a massive 29 million tonnes of waste yearly! It\u2019s not just a plastic problem: the same would happen with any packaging left in the environment. But recycling in a circular economy can solve this, and glass is a model example: it can be infinitely recycled and reused, it\u2019s less likely to fly away if scattered, and people already recycle it. And it\u2019s a natural, inert single-layer material.<\/p>\n

We could rephrase the reflection on healthy living: does living a sustainable lifestyle make us healthier? It\u2019s complex. In my opinion, sustainability can bring us closer to a healthier life because thinking sustainably implies greater awareness of our actions. In this case, one of the links between sustainability and health is food, and the environment is part of that. If you\u2019re aware of the impact your choices have, you will always lead a much fuller life and take control of your actions rather than let them control you. This only has positive effects and is the best form of personal well-being.<\/p>\n

How does this link to how we think about packaging and the choices we make for everyday products, like food or drink?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sustainability and packaging are closely linked. As consumers, we know disposable packaging waste and food waste are big concerns, and we can play our own part in living more sustainably \u2013 and many of us feel compelled to do so. Yet packaging touches on a range of concerns, from how food, drink and other everyday products are protected from degrading, to how much packaging itself can influence the product inside over time, and then to how we dispose of packaging. Decisions over buying (or boycotting) certain packaging and committing to recycling are individual decisions. This means it depends on the motivation and social awareness of each individual. We know consumers have the perception that glass or paper-based cartons are the most sustainable packaging options, while plastic bottles are the least eco-friendly. At the same time, glass packaging gives a sense of product quality, and provides a guarantee of hygiene, flavour preservation and ability to be fully recycled. If we associate a packaging with higher product quality, relating it with a greater ecological value by being able to recycle it completely, we\u2019re already halfway there in raising awareness of the need to recover waste and getting people to act on it.<\/p>\n

Why do you think consumers continue to rely on glass? \u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Beyond reduced waste, glass also stands for hygiene and taste preservation. Generally, glass indicates health and overall quality. It preserves food better, along with its nutritional properties for extended periods. Glass is completely inert and highly hygienic. Inertness means no outside elements can penetrate the container, making it resistant to oxidisation and CO2 as well as chemicals. This makes glass great for stocking up in the pantry or fridge. What\u2019s more, transparent glass makes it easy to see when food is about to go off, helping to cut back on food waste.<\/p>\n

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BENEFITS OF GLASS FOR FOOD SAFETY<\/span><\/h2>\n

In your opinion, what are the main benefits of glass packaging in terms of food safety?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For brands and retailers, there are many things to consider on packaging between a product\u2019s concept and us picking it off the shelves:<\/p>\n