The Advantages of Plastic Containers

Economy

• No other material gives you so much use for so little price. Glass and ceramic containers are heavy and costly; while aluminum is light and cheap, it's also very flimsy. A box of five name brand high-quality 25-ounce reusable plastic containers sells for $1.39 per unit. By comparison, a set of four 2.5-cubic inch glass baby food containers costs $6.62 per unit...not mention the glass is heavier and it's not likely to last any longer than the plastic.

Durability

• Glass and ceramic containers shatter or chip if dropped, ruining them physically or aesthetically and leaving dangerous debris on the floor to clean up. Between their weight and fragility, they can't be entrusted to children. Aluminum containers easily get bent out of shape and can never regain their original form. Plastic containers don't have these problems. If a plastic container is dropped, it won't get damaged, and if the lid is secured, the containers' contents won't even spill out. This and their light weight make plastic containers ideal for children.

Recyclable

• Plastic containers' biggest liability can also be among their biggest advantages. In a landfill, plastic takes thousands of years to decompose and can harm soil and wildlife. However, when it's recycled as it ought to be, plastic can help save the environment by reducing the amount of new energy and resources spent on producing new materials each year. Further, plastic containers are so durable that they last for years and are good for hundreds of uses before needing to be recycled.

Microwavable

• While aluminum containers are also lightweight and cheap, unlike plastic containers, they can't be microwaved. This means to cook food in them, you must wait while it bakes in the toaster or oven. Plastic containers are microwave-safe, so you cook food quickly in them. They combine the weight and price advantages of aluminum with the microwave- and dishwasher-safe qualities of glass and ceramic, and offer the greatest strength and durability.