Today there are many various versions of of what material the container for drinks, in particular for mineral water has to be made. Some myths are confirmed, some – are disproved.
Actually, mineral water is identical at the same producer irrespective of in what packing it is on sale. It is taken from the same source. To understand what influence bears material of packings on a product, it should be taken into account their characteristics separately from each other.
Glass container
Still quite recently mineral water was produced only in glass, there were yet no plastic bottles which present a serious counterbalance to packing, habitual for us, today. The main reason why glass didn't come to naught yet, prejudices of conservatives are.
The main pluses of glass bottles is a variety of possible forms and volumes, environmental friendliness. Also glass considerably prolongs a product expiration date. The maximum expiration date of water in such packing – up to two years. Defects at such container are less convincing, but, nevertheless, they exist. It and the fact that such packing breaks at mechanical damages, and rather big weight and volume in comparison with plastic which can be twisted at a vykidyvaniye in a trash can. As for influence on the environment, so, and on our health then it is possible to note that glass without special influence on it doesn't decay, can keep the structure for several hundred years. It is possible to use glass packing so many time how many it is necessary, on condition of its integrity. Also it is necessary to sterilize it well before each new use. If glass is damaged, then it can be used as salvage for production of new products including a container. However this process is rather expensive.
Plastic container
Mineral water is poured in food plastic which there are several types: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), полиэтиленрефталат (PET). The last, thanks to the qualities, became the most widely used. It can successfully compete not only with other types of plastic, but even with glass. The main advantages of PET-packing is its weight: 32 g in a liter bottle (while in glass – 500 g). Such plastic transparent that too is important in a flood of mineral water. Additional measures for maintaining integrity of bottles aren't necessary. The fact that through transparent plastic there passes oxygen and ultraviolet is negative (and glass holds them). These shortcomings can influence structure of minerals in water. It is possible to store water in plasticity only 1 year. In spite of the fact that PET is considered the most harmless plastic, doctors recommend to use it only once owing to the fact that it is difficult to wash up and move away him up to the end the microbic environment. Processing of such material is rather expensive, and it is economically more favorable that it occurred in production scales.