Why We Use Glass Containers: The Environmental and Health Benefits of Sustainable Packaging
At Brother Barbell Supplements, every decision we make reflects our commitment to quality, health, and sustainability. One choice I feel particularly proud of is our decision to use glass containers for our supplements. While it might be tempting to cut costs with plastic, I believe the long-term benefits of glass—for both our health and the environment—make it a superior option.
Let me break down why glass is such an important part of our mission.
The Health Case for Glass
One of the main reasons I opted for glass containers is the potential health risks associated with plastic. Plastics can contain chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. These substances can leach into food, beverages, or supplements, especially when exposed to heat or prolonged storage. Even “BPA-free” plastics often contain alternative chemicals whose safety profiles are not fully understood.
Glass, on the other hand, is chemically inert. This means it doesn’t react with or leach into the contents it holds, ensuring that the supplements you take are as pure and unaltered as the day they were bottled. When you're investing in high-quality, natural supplements, the last thing you want is for harmful chemicals to compromise their integrity.
Glass Protects Nutritional Potency
Another reason I chose glass is its ability to preserve the quality of the supplements. Glass is impermeable to oxygen and moisture, both of which can degrade the potency of sensitive ingredients over time. For example, antioxidants like elderberry extract or vitamins like NMN and Vitamin C can lose their effectiveness when exposed to air. Glass provides a superior barrier, maintaining the freshness and efficacy of the ingredients.
The Environmental Case for Glass
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges we face today. Globally, millions of tons of plastic waste are generated every year, much of which ends up in landfills or the ocean. Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, and even then, it disintegrates into microplastics, which contaminate ecosystems and enter the food chain.
Glass, by contrast, is 100% recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality or purity. When you recycle a glass jar, it can become another glass jar—no degradation, no waste. By choosing glass, we’re reducing our environmental footprint and encouraging a circular economy.
Additionally, glass production, while energy-intensive, has a significantly smaller ecological impact compared to the extraction and refinement of petroleum for plastics. And while glass may feel heavier in your hands, requiring slightly more energy to transport, I believe the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks when considering its overall life cycle.
Reusable and Multi-Purpose
One of the things I love most about glass containers is their reusability. Unlike disposable plastic bottles, glass jars are durable and versatile. When you’ve finished your supplements, you can repurpose the jars for storage, DIY projects, or even as eco-friendly packaging for homemade gifts.
We’ve heard from customers who use our jars to store spices, loose-leaf tea, or even small craft supplies. Knowing that our packaging can have a second life beyond its initial purpose reinforces our commitment to sustainability.
A Commitment to Quality
Ultimately, using glass containers aligns with the values of Brother Barbell Supplements. We prioritize quality at every step of our process, from sourcing the purest ingredients to ensuring the final product arrives at your door in the best condition possible. Plastic might save a few pennies, but for me, glass is the only option that truly reflects our commitment to your health and the planet.
When you choose our supplements, you’re not just investing in your well-being—you’re also supporting sustainable practices that help protect the environment for future generations. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we can make choices that are better for our bodies and our world.