Are Glass Bottles More Sustainable? Inside StrangeLove’s Packaging Choices
Sustainability in drinks packaging has been a loud point of contention since the commercialisation of beverages. Glass. Aluminium. PET. Micro plastics embedding themselves into our pre-frontal cortex, causing humans to use gym selfies as a mating call. The reality of the situation is; unless nuclear warefare happens sooner rather than later (fingers crossed), humans are going to keep consuming fancy beverages, with pretty labels and artificial containers, from places other than a fully sustainable natural spring. So what's the best choice when it comes to your consumption of packaged beverages?
Everyone claims to be the most eco-friendly option. Including us. So what actually stacks up when you look beyond the label? Are glass bottles genuinely better for the planet, or is it just something we wrote on our website to make you feel better about yourself?
Honestly, at StrangeLove, packaging is never an afterthought. From custom designs, stippling, environmental impact, and sourcing - every bottle or can is chosen with intent. As a premium drinks brand in Australia, StrangeLove balances best in class flavour, recyclability, and real-world sustainability.
Glass has long been associated with sustainable glass packaging thanks to its natural ingredients, chemical stability, and infinite recyclability. But it’s also heavier to transport and energy-intensive to produce. Meanwhile, plastic is lightweight but problematic, and aluminium sits somewhere in between. The truth is, nothing is perfect, but lesser evils do exist.
In this guide, we unpack the realities of eco-friendly drinking (spoiler alert - drinking naked from a stream underneath full moonlight is your most sustainable bet), explore how recyclable glass really is, and explain why StrangeLove uses glass. If you’re curious about sustainable drink packaging and why it matters for flavour as much as the environment then read on.
Learn more about StrangeLove on our About Us page, or explore the Lo-Cal Soda Collection here.
Why Glass Is Considered a Sustainable Packaging Material
Glass has earned its reputation as a sustainable packaging material for good reason. Unlike many alternatives, it’s designed for longevity in both performance and environmental impact.
Key sustainability benefits:
100% recyclable – Glass can be recycled over and over with no loss in quality, creating a true circular loop.
Made from natural materials – Sand, limestone, and soda ash form glass, avoiding petroleum-based inputs.
No chemical leaching or microplastics – Glass is inert, meaning it won’t interact with the liquid inside.
Long lifespan and high reusability – Perfect for refilling, repurposing, or home storage.
For StrangeLove, this aligns with the premium nature of our drinks. From untainted Mineral Water, to our iconic Lo-Cal Soda bottles embellished with custom stippling, glass has become not only a staple from a packaging perspective, but a shining beacon of superiority in the drinks aisle.
Glass vs Aluminium vs Plastic: Which Is Most Sustainable?
No packaging material is perfect. Sustainability depends on recycling systems, transport distances, and how consumers actually dispose of packaging in Australia.
Glass is fully recyclable and chemically pure, yet heavy to transport.
Aluminium boasts excellent recycling rates, yet relies on environmentally intensive bauxite mining.
Plastic (PET) is lightweight and cheap, but has the highest long-term environmental cost due to low real-world recycling rates and microplastic pollution.
Australia’s recycling systems favour glass and aluminium far more reliably than plastic. Dumb people also matter in the process: glass and cans are more likely to be correctly recycled than plastic bottles.
The Sustainability Benefits of Glass Bottles
Glass bottles continue to lead in premium beverage sustainability thanks to a combination of environmental and product-quality advantages.
Why glass stands out:
Infinite recyclability without degradation
Zero microplastics or chemical contamination
Superior flavour protection for botanicals and citrus
Higher perceived and actual value in a circular economy
Safe and practical for reuse at home
For eco-friendly beverages, glass delivers both trust and performance. It signals quality while supporting sustainable drink packaging that doesn’t compromise what’s inside the bottle.
Is Glass Really Better for the Environment?
The honest answer: it depends. But often, yes.
Glass production uses more energy than plastic, and its weight increases transport emissions. Breakage is also a real consideration. These are valid environmental costs.
However, glass counters these drawbacks with long-term benefits:
No toxins, leaching, or microplastics
Extremely high recycling success rates
Strong reuse culture
Proven fit for circular economy models
We don't pretend glass is flawless. Packaging of any kind is going to come with drawbacks, it's about making informed choices.
Why StrangeLove Chooses Glass Bottles
StrangeLove’s packaging choices are acrefully considered for the following reasons;
Glass is used because it:
Protects natural flavours and botanicals
Reflects premium quality
Supports sustainability values
Is fully recyclable in Australian kerbside systems
Works perfectly for clean, untainted liquid.
Cans are also used intentionally where usage, weight, portability, and chilling speed are considerations.
The Final Sip
Glass packaging isn’t perfect, but it remains one of our preferred long-term options for sustainable packaging. It’s clean, safe, infinitely recyclable, and our preferred recepticle for premium drinks.
At StrangeLove, packaging is chosen with intention. Whether it’s glass or aluminium, the goal is always the same: better drinks, lower impact, and transparency you can trust.
Explore our Premium drinks range to see how sustainability and purity go hand in hand.
