Dairy enterprises, including Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1, abandoned the widespread use of glass packaging not because of sunlight, as is often thought, but due to more practical and economic reasons. The nuances of the problem were explained to Telegraf.news by the plant's chief technologist, Larisa Ambrozheichyk.
Modern production at a dairy plant. Photo: Telegraf.news
First of all, glass packaging is very complex to use. It needs to be washed, transported, returned, and prepared for use again. All this requires significant labor and financial costs. In modern production conditions, this becomes unprofitable.
Historical glass bottles for milk
The second important reason is safety. Glass breaks easily, which creates risks both in production and for consumers. If a bottle breaks, there is a danger that small fragments could get into the product. For the food industry, this is a very serious problem.
As for shelf life, in fact, it depends not only on the packaging but also on the method of milk processing. Milk stored in multi-layered cardboard packaging (Tetra Pak type) lasts the longest, as it better protects against light and air and allows for sterile filling.
Interestingly, glass is also not the most ecological option, as many believe. Although it can be recycled many times, its production requires very high temperatures and significant energy consumption, which increases carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, in modern conditions, even plastic PET bottles are often considered more environmentally justifiable.
As a result, glass packaging is rarely used today and is more often positioned as a "premium" option rather than a mass standard.
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Comments
1. Прыборы рэагуюць на тлушчы і вучоныя не разабраўшыся бягуць публікаваць
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