What’s A Better Choice: Glass or Plastic Bottles?

Choosing the best for your little one can feel overwhelming between clothes, toys, furniture, formula, and more. This can lead to choosing products that are easily accessible without a second thought. One of these easily accessible products is plastic baby bottles, but it’s worth understanding your options before buying. 

Keep reading to learn the options, differences, and considerations when choosing a glass or plastic bottle.

What Are the Differences Between Plastic and Glass Bottles?

Years ago, baby bottles were made of glass. Since then, companies have opted for quicker and cheaper manufacturing options, moving plastic up the list as the most popular option. Plastic and glass bottles look and feel different, but there are also less obvious differences between the two.

Plastic baby bottles are more common and offer a lightweight, unbreakable structure. They’re also affordable and easy to find in just about every store’s baby section. On the other hand, plastic baby bottles aren’t dishwasher-friendly, and many contain harmful chemicals (BPA and more). 

BPA is bisphenol A, a plastic manufactured in the 1960s, linked to problems with brain development. After this discovery, BPA was banned from baby bottles. Without the BPA, plastic baby bottles are considered safe, but research does show additional risks from other chemicals in the plastic.

Glass baby bottles are rising in popularity, dishwasher safe, environmentally friendly, and don’t contain toxins. The downsides to glass are the possible safety concerns from dropping or chipping the glass and their higher cost. Glass bottles are currently less available than plastic but will become more available as the wave of eco-friendly products takes over.

The costs of glass vs. plastic bottles

Preparing for and caring for your little one is expensive, so you may be most interested in the cost. A cost-effective option is taking old bottles from family or friends, but keep in mind the recent changes by the FDA regarding chemicals. Plastic bottles manufactured before 2013 are likely to have BPA and other harmful substances.

Between plastic and glass bottles, plastic will be less expensive. You may also want to consider the risk of broken glass bottles that need to be replaced, adding an additional cost.

Which Option is Better For the Environment?

Neither is a perfect option for the environment between materials, manufacturing, transporting, and everything else that makes plastic and glass bottles.

Overall, the glass baby bottle is better for the environment. Not only does the glass option not have harmful chemicals, but they are easily reusable and can be upcycled or passed on.

Whichever option you go for, there are ways to ensure you’re doing less harm to the environment. Choose companies that use limited waste or compostable packaging, reuse or donate products, and recycle when you can.

The Choice is Yours

 Choosing the best for your little one may not always be realistic, and we want you to know that’s okay. While glass baby bottles are overall a more eco-friendly option, there are safety concerns, and they cost more. Using either plastic or glass bottles responsibly can work for you and your little one.