Plastic or Glass

[RonS]

What kind of bottles do you use for commercial sales and why?

[Panhandle Bee man]

Plastic

Insurance/piece of mind

[AstroBee]

Glass, for sure.

I used to sell plastic, but found that many people prefer glass. Glass is harder to deal with and costs more, but these costs are just transferred to the customer, who has no problem paying for the more appealing product. Of course, your market may be very different than mine, particularly if your customers are "price" shopping.

[Dan Williamson]

Both...

I have customers that want both.... older wants glass... younger seems to want plastic... at least my experience.

[Troy]

My experince is similar to Astrobee's. I prefer plastic for my own use, and I thought the customers would feel the same way. But they don't - they want glass and are willing to pay more for it.

So I've switched to selling only in 1/2 and 1 lb queenline jars only.

[Gregg]

Plastic only, advantages greatly outweigh glass (literally :)); haven't had any customers refuse to buy because they want only glass.

[carbide]

Both,

One day all my customers want glass, the next day they all want plastic. I just give them what they want! I sell 12oz., 16oz., and 32oz. in plastic, pints and quarts in glass. I also sell gallons in either plastic or glass, whichever the customer prefers.

[Chef Isaac]

I offer both. I usually can get a little more with a nice glass bottle. Plastic is nice as it is light weight and does not break. When shipping, use plastic.

[BerkeyDavid]

I use all plastic for the bears, 1 and 2 pounders for one reason. The wife said so! she claims no one wants glass because it can break and is heavy. and she does most of the bottling. The PET plastic is really clear and looks like glass.

That said, I just sent some glass pint jars (canning jars) with some comb pieces to the market to try, so we will see if they can sell those.

[sqkcrk]

Glass mostly. Glass Bears are hard to use, ha ha. I believe, though I may be wrong, that glass is gentler in the environment. Though it probably uses more fuel to get to me because of weight and it comes from Brazil or China. I guess mostly I just like it more.

[MapMan]

I like glass too. But, with the lower cost of plastic, the consumer will be the ultimate judge. I find myself buying more products in glass now, because I anticipate that I can use the glass jars for future family honey storage.:)

Both glass and PET plastic prices are continually going to go up due to fuel costs, with some offset from recycled products. But then PET jars will have to go through the cost of impregnation of CO2/O2 barriers to the jars. That has been one of the reasons that you don't see a lot of plastic beer bottles on the market - the cost of adding barriers to the bottles can offset the initial lower cost of the plastic. That, and consumer preference for glass - especially in beer, where quality is over-hyped.

MM

[geoffkb]

I prefer to use glass, easier to clear and sterilize.

But I also like to offer an incentive for them to return it, $0.50, then I can reuse it and 'save the cost of a new one', very green. :D

However the real reason is then they'll come back and buy more honey from me!

Marie Callender gives $0.50 when you return the pie pan. Do you think they reuse them? I've never seen a MC pie on anything but a new pan. Surely it's just a smart way to make your customers come back? ;)

[peggjam]

I like glass myself. But if I ship any I will proably use plastic:). Anyone know what kinda mess a broken glass quart of honey will make going through the postal system?:)

[Donna Marie, Honeybee by the Sea]

I prefer glass and do not use plastic at all. In a glass jar the honey glows, the container is resuable. With glass there is no chance of affecting the flavor...not a question for me...glass all the way. Cheers Donna Marie

[riverrat]

I used glass queen line jars until my supplier ran out and had to use the plastic when selling both the glass out sold the plastic 3 to one people in my opinion prefer the glass. I think it just fits in with the old time feel of the honey that has not been processed

[Chef Isaac]

Peg:

Seriously, I DO kno the problems. I used to use this kinda glass from a source in Seattle. They were great looking jars but it took me two years ot figure out that it wasent my packing that sucked... it was the glass jars. A lot of them broke in the mail.... mail people were mad at me. lol :)

[peggjam]

Peg:

Seriously, I DO kno the problems. I used to use this kinda glass from a source in Seattle. They were great looking jars but it took me two years ot figure out that it wasent my packing that sucked... it was the glass jars. A lot of them broke in the mail.... mail people were mad at me. lol :)
Serves'em right for constintly raising postage rates:D. I had a jar break that was shipped to me, didn't realize why the box was wrapped in plastic until I openned it, there was very little honey left in the box:D.

[Chef Isaac]

I hate the rising of postage rates....

I went to the post office and they removed the machine that they sell stamps at. Now you have to go into their little store to buy the freakin stamps. That is BS!!!!

[JP]

I like the glass jars. I sell 1lb and 1/2 lb. They can be recycled and are easier to clean. Now I haven't had the issue with sending any by mail but will soon and will use glass. I like the way it feels and looks. Have a customer who wanted a gallon, so I ordered four plastic containers. They don't look half bad, and I personally would be afraid to handle a gallon of honey in a glass container, that's a lot of weight.

[RonS]

Thanks to all who responded. It appears that each type of container has its virtues, but that glass, for other than the small 8 oz. bears, wins out. I have a large amount of herbal honey that should appeal to a niche market. The glass beckons back to old fashioned markets. We shall see.