Microplastics: the ANSES shock study on glass bottles
A recent ANSES study reveals that drinks packaged in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic, bricks or cans :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
📌 Key results
- Soft drinks (cola, beer, lemonade, iced tea) in glass: approximately 100 microplastic particles per liter, i.e. 5 to 50 times more than in plastic or cans :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- For water bottled in glass: 4.5 particles per liter, compared to 1.6 particles in plastic bottles or bricks :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
🧪 Origin of contamination
The study shows that the particles mainly come from the paint of the metal capsules. micro-scratches on the caps, caused by friction, release paint in the form of microplastics: contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
🔬 Possible reduction of microplastics
Tests have shown that cleaning the caps before bottling (blowing + rinsing with water/alcohol) reduces contamination of:
- 287 → 106 particles/L (after blowing)
- → 87 particles/L (after blowing + rinsing):contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
💧Water remains the best choice... even in glass
With only 4.5 particles/L, water in glass bottles remains little contaminated compared to other drinks: contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
⚠️ End clap: should we stop using glass?
No: glass remains a safe packaging, especially for water. But this study shows thatunexpected contamination can be avoided thanks to simple good industrial practices.
💡 Practical advice
- Continue to drink water (limited contamination).
- Vary the containers: plastic, glass, tap water filtered.
- Prefer tap water: less CO₂, more economical, without microplastics linked to capsules.
