PSMD NEWSLETTER
Glass bottles = More microplastics than PLASTIC?!
July 20, 2025
You guys have been asking me to respond to the recent controversy surrounding the claim that glass bottles contain MORE microplastics than plastic bottles.
Well…
Looks like we’re all screwed and have to drink out of coconut shells now, right? 🤣
Not quite...
These headlines are incredibly misleading.
And this is exactly why I always tell you guys to dig deeper than the sensationalist news that is designed to get clicks, not inform you properly.
So let me break down what this study ACTUALLY found and why I’m not concerned at all…
(Sorry Big Plastic, I’m about to burst your bubble!)
The French food safety agency (ANSES) tested 120 drinks across different packaging types and found that some glass-bottled beverages contained more microplastic particles than their plastic counterparts.
But here's the crucial detail that they conveniently left out:
The microplastics weren't coming from the glass bottles themselves…
They were coming from the painted metal caps!
The researchers found that the plastic particles in glass bottles matched the exact color and polymer composition of the paint used on the outside of bottle caps.
When these caps get stacked during storage and transport, they develop microscopic scratches that release tiny paint flakes into the liquid below.
This isn't a "glass problem" - it's a cap problem.
What's really frustrating to me is how the media “ignored” the most important findings…
✅ Still water in glass bottles had very low microplastic levels (4.5 particles per liter vs 2.4 in plastic)
✅ Wine bottles had the lowest contamination of all - because they use cork stoppers instead of painted metal caps
✅ The study only counted particles 25 microns or larger - missing the ultra-tiny nanoplastics that are actually MORE harmful and predominantly found in plastic bottles
✅ Simple cap cleaning reduced contamination by 60% - proving this is an easily fixable manufacturing issue
The highest contaminated drinks? Acidic beverages like soda, lemonade, and beer - where the acid breaks down the cap paint faster.
So, do not believe whatever you’ve seen in headlines or on social media…Glass is STILL your cleanest option:
It doesn't leach chemicals or shed particles into your drinks like plastic does.
Plastic bottles contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates that have been linked to reproductive disorders, metabolic dysfunction, and even cancer (PMID: 33574197).
Microplastics from plastic packaging are typically smaller too… and the smaller the particle, the more damage it does in your body.
The nanoplastic particles that weren't counted in this study are the ones that can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in organs.
(It’s why we use strictly glass for our products at Lineage and Heart & Soil)
And honestly, it’s kind of silly to get swept up in this glass vs plastic bottles drama…
Microplastics are EVERYWHERE now.
They're in our food, our water, our air, and as most of us know, even in our bodies.
Recent studies have found microplastics in human blood, lungs, placental tissue, and even brain tissue (PMID: 38446676, 33574197).
Look, the solution isn't to panic about every study, but to be SMART about minimizing your exposure.
As I've shared before, here's my approach:
- Drink filtered water from glass containers - not plastic bottles or straight from the tap
- Use wooden cutting boards - plastic cutting boards can shed the equivalent of multiple credit cards worth of plastic per year into your food
- Choose grass-fed beef over grain-fed - grain-fed cattle consume more microplastics through contaminated feed (PMID: 38159628)
- Eliminate seed oils - they're not just inflammatory, they also contain microplastics (PMID: 38295567)
- Minimize plastic in your home - use glass storage containers, natural fiber clothing and bedding, and HEPA air filters
- Limit seafood consumption - fish bioaccumulate microplastics from polluted waters
Bottom line…
Don't let misleading headlines scare you away from glass.
In fact, this study actually reinforces why glass is SUPERIOR if you ask me!
Remember, the contamination came from plastic components (the caps), NOT the glass itself.
All you need to do is choose glass bottles with natural stoppers, or transfer liquids to clean glass containers. Easy.
The real enemies here are:
So, don’t fall for clickbait…
Do your research BEYOND the fear-mongering headlines…
IGNORE the noise and stick with the basics:
Choose well-sourced whole foods, avoid processed junk, and minimize plastic exposure as much as possible.
Like I always say, don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
You can't avoid microplastics completely in today's world, but you can drastically reduce your exposure with simple, smart choices.
And that absolutely includes drinking out of glass bottles!
Welcome to the Remembering 🏹
Paul
