The caps of glass bottles contaminate beverages with microplastics

www.anses.fr

The caps of glass bottles contaminate beverages with microplastics | Anses - Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail

Microplastics are present in all beverages, but those packaged in glass bottles contain more microplastic particles than those in plastic bottles, cartons or cans. This was the surprising finding of a study conducted by the Boulogne-sur-Mer unit of the ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety. The scientists hypothesised that these plastic particles could come from the paint used on bottle caps. Water and wine are less affected than other beverages. These findings have highlighted a source of microplastics in drinks that manufacturers can easily take measures to address.

11 comments

They could, but that might reduce profit margins by 0.5¢ per bottle/can, and we just couldn't have that.
- Or hear me out, they can fix it and spin it as having no micro plastics and charge you a dollar more. 100% free of micro plastics, your health is worth the extra buck or two!
Oh for fuck's sake.
If I remember correctly, bottles used to have cork in the caps before plastic. I don't know if going back to cork is feasible so is there an alternative to plastic that meets the requirements?
- I dunno. Cork comes from tree bark, and I would prefer "we" don't incentivise corporations to mess more with trees.
  Also, what they suggest in the article sounds pretty feasible: cleaning the caps before sealing, as well as changing stuff in the manufacturing procedures.
  If you ask me, my favourite solution would be to use our own bottles or flasks and refill them with the beverage of our choice at specific places. I know we are not used to that, but in the same time it's not that difficult either.
  
  Cork harvesting isn't very harmful to the tree
  https://corkinstitute.com/harvesting
  Studies show that regular harvesting generally improves the trees health and vigor.
  
  Its a good idea but places offering this usually charge VASTLY more than the other options.
- It would be if people wouldn't buy so much bottled drinks all the time. Stop living off cola.

11 comments