*Glass versus Plastic - Does it Matter?

Heads up: we're passionate about olive oil, not medical degrees. The information in this article has been gathered from published medical and scientific sources for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or health routine.

You've probably heard the word "microplastics" floating around lately — and if you haven't, buckle up. These tiny plastic particles are showing up everywhere: in our water, our soil, and yes, potentially our food. It's one of the biggest reasons we package our oils in glass bottles.

Here's the science behind why plastic and olive oil are a bad combo:

• Direct Leaching: Olive oil is a fat-based solvent that can degrade certain plastic containers (typically PET or HDPE) over time — especially when exposed to heat or light. This breakdown can release microplastics and chemical plasticizers like phthalates directly into your oil. Not exactly what you ordered.
• The "Lipophilic" Attraction: Plastics are oil-loving (lipophilic), meaning they tend to partially dissolve into or be absorbed by fatty substances like olive oil far more readily than water-based foods. Oil and plastic? Not a great match.

We'll be transparent: we can't completely eliminate plastic contact, since as of 2026 we haven't been able to source caps that are 100% plastic-free. But here's a simple tip — keep your bottle upright so the oil never touches the cap. Small habit, big difference.

Want to go deeper? Here's one of the research papers we referenced on microplastics in food packaging.

WHY WE LOVE GLASS

Glass isn't just prettier on your countertop (though it definitely is). It's genuinely better for you and the planet.

Glass has been described as a material that can be infinitely recycled without any loss of quality, purity, or durability. It can be crushed into cullets, melted down, and turned into new glass — again and again. Compared to other packaging materials, glass has one of the highest recycling rates out there.

And when glass does end up in the environment? It's far less damaging than plastic. Unlike plastics, which break down into microplastics that leach into our soils and water, glass is non-toxic. It's made primarily from silica — a natural substance that makes up 59% of the Earth's crust. Because it's a natural compound, there's no concern about leaching or environmental degradation.

As Franziska Trautmann, co-founder of Glass Half Full — a New Orleans company that recycles glass into sand for coastal restoration and disaster relief — puts it: "Glass is mainly made of silica, which is a natural substance." We couldn't agree more.

Bottom line: Glass keeps your oil pure, your body happy, and the planet a little better off. That's a win-win-win. 🫒