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Microplastics in mineral water: is glass really healthier than plastic?
🧴 Glass or plastic: which pollutes your drink more? A surprising study
Glass is often seen as the most natural and healthy packaging: reusable, endlessly recyclable, inert… But the ANSES study No. 05066642v1, published on June 20, 2025, reveals a counterintuitive result: some drinks packaged in glass contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles or cans.
🧪 What does the ANSES study reveal?
The researchers analysed various beverages – water, sodas, iced teas, beers and wines – stored in different containers: glass, plastic, carton and can.
Key findings:
- Glass bottles (colas, lemonade, tea, beer): approx. 100 particles/L
- Plastic bottles or cans: 5 to 50 times fewer
- Bottled water: 4.5 particles/L (glass) vs. 1.6 particles/L (plastic or carton)
- Wine: very low levels
🎨 Source of contamination: painted caps
The main source of particles is the paint on the metal caps. Friction during transport causes micro-abrasions that fall into the drink.
🛠️ Tested technical solution
Three protocols were tested:
- Uncleaned cap → ~287 particles/L
- Air-blown cap → 106 particles/L
- Air-blown + rinsed cap → 87 particles/L
Simple industrial cleaning can reduce contamination by over 70%.
🧾 Summary table
| Criterion | Glass | Plastic |
|---|---|---|
| Microplastic contamination | ⚠ 100 p/L | ✅ 5 to 50× less |
| Bottled water | ⚠ 4.5 p/L | ✅ 1.6 p/L |
📌 In summary
Surprisingly, plastic isn’t always the most contaminated option. In some cases, glass with painted caps shows higher microplastic levels. The issue lies not only in the packaging material, but also in technical packaging details.
📖 Official study link:
ANSES – Beverages in glass bottles contain more microplastics than in other containers (study No. 05066642v1)
