History of Plastic Water Bottles- How Did They Become More Common

We are a plastic barware manufacturer and supplier. Providing various types of plastic wine glasses, bar basic tools.  For bulk orders of bar supplies, our factory direct price will save your budget. 

Introductioan

Plastic bottles are a very new invention despite being the most widely used and ubiquitous container for liquids. PET plastic bottles weren’t produced until after World War II, while the first synthetic plastic was created in the early 20th century.

How, in less than fifty years, did plastic manage to replace glass? What is the background of PET bottles? Is there a future for plastic bottles? We’ll explore the intriguing history of water bottles in this post.

Plastic Tumblers, Cups and Mugs COVER

It is astounding how commonplace plastic water bottles are in our day-to-day activities. We’ll examine the complex journey that turned plastic water bottles from a curiosity to a daily necessity in our investigation of how they became more widespread.

When the first Plastic bottles were designed?

Even though plastic has been created in one form or another since 1862, a little-known Belgian chemist is responsible for many of the material’s modern applications. In 1907, Leo Baekeland began a material known as Bakelite. It was the first synthetic plastic that, when heated, could be molded into a variety of shapes. Because of its adaptability and capacity to be set, plastic is an essential part of numerous industries. However, plastic could not be used to create functioning water bottles because of the process’s shortcomings and coarseness.

Many of the necessary qualities in a bottle material were found in a new type of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which was created in the 1940s. Ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid are the two monomers that are combined to develop PET, a kind of polyester. It is robust, lightweight, and moldable into a variety of shapes. It is appropriate for use as a liquid container because it is chemical and waterproof.

The beverage industry changed when Nathaniel Wyeth successfully developed a scalable method of molding PET into bottles in the 1970s. These bottles were more affordable, more durable, and could be made in a wide variety of forms and sizes. PET is still the most widely used plastic for water bottles despite significant changes in manufacturing techniques.

PET is not the only plastic used to make water containers nowadays. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polycarbonate are two more widely used and prevalent varieties of plastic.

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Why Did Glass Bottles Give Way to Plastic Bottles?

Glass was not the only beverage container to be replaced by plastic in history. Plastic has many significant benefits that provide businesses using it for packaging with a significant competitive edge. As a result, the material was quickly adopted by the whole industry. Here are only a few benefits that plastic offered at the time over glass.

Lower manufacturing costs:

It is less expensive to make plastic bottles. They are more cost-effective in several significant aspects since they take less energy and resources to produce and deliver.

Storage and Transit Purpose:

Plastic bottles are a safer and more practical choice for storage and transit because they are lightweight and resistant to breaking. While there are glasses that can withstand breakage, their cost is far more than that of plastic, making them unsuitable for use as drink containers.

Better methods of production:

Compared to glass, plastic is more pliable and moldable. This enables brands to produce functional and distinctive containers that enhance process efficiency and product visibility.

Environmental issues:

Because plastic bottles were lighter and took less energy to create and transport, they were initially promoted as a more environmentally responsible option. However, this may have changed in recent years.

Do plastic bottles have their place in the future?

Recyclable plastic is one of the novel and creative uses for plastic that the industry has discovered in response to restrictions and concerns in recent years. These procedures guarantee that plastic will remain important in the majority of critical sectors for many years to come while also enabling more cost-effective usage of the material. In the US alone, more than a million plastic bottles are recycled every day. In this section, we’ll delve into the fascinating and novel realm of plastic recycling.  

Recycling of Plastics: an essential factor

Because plastic is so ingrained in our daily lives, it is challenging, if not impossible, to replace it entirely. Because of this, researchers have worked to develop environmentally beneficial methods for us to utilize plastic, and they have developed a few inventions that, although they are still in the early stages of development, may have a significant impact on plastic’s future.

Chemical recycling method:

Plans are underway to create specialist recycling facilities that can disassemble plastic into its component elements so that it can be recycled into new plastic goods. Compared to typical mechanical recycling, which can only handle plastics of the same type, chemical recycling can process a greater diversity of plastics. This suggests that a higher proportion of plastic trash may be dealt with by chemical recycling. Reusable bottles are far less harmful to the environment than single-use plastic ones.

Environment-friendly plastics:

Why not make a change if the issue with plastic is that it doesn’t break down naturally? Scientists have posed the same question, and that is how biodegradable plastic was created. Compared to conventional plastics, biodegradable polymers decompose more quickly, spending less time in the environment or landfills.

It is astounding how commonplace plastic water bottles are in our day-to-day activities. We’ll examine the complex journey that turned plastic water bottles from a curiosity to a daily necessity in our investigation of how they became more widespread.

Start an era of Plastic bottles

Plastic water bottles are becoming more and more popular because of how convenient they are. As society’s pace quickened in the middle of the 20th century, consumers looked for more practical ways to stay hydrated. Glass and metal containers of the past were bulky and heavy; however, plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene provided a lightweight and portable substitute. This change in consumer preferences set the stage for the rise of the plastic water bottle.

Revolution of PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

The development of the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle marked a turning point in the 1950s. PET bottles, which were first created for fizzy drinks, transformed the packaging sector. Their strength, low weight, and capacity to withstand breakage made them perfect for containing a wide range of liquids, including water. PET bottle usage was further accelerated by bottled water firms, who saw its potential early on.

Branding and Marketing Strategies

Bottled water started to lose its reputation as an expensive luxury and gained popularity as a stylish and health-conscious option in the 1980s. Companies like Evian and Perrier were instrumental in this change. They changed people’s perceptions by emphasizing the mineral richness and purity of their bottled water. Clever branding and marketing techniques contributed to the popularity and accessibility of bottled water.

Make you Hydrated

Plastic water bottles had become an indispensable part of people’s daily lives all across the world by the 1990s. They are identified with staying hydrated and have become a necessary piece of gear for travelers. Plastic water bottles provide an easy way to stay hydrated when traveling, working out, or going to events.

Vast Expansion of its Distribution

Their simplicity of production and distribution largely facilitated the widespread use of plastic water bottles. Bottled water started to be sold in a variety of retail establishments, including convenience stores, supermarkets, and vending machines. Because it was quickly accessible, people were more likely to include drinking water in their everyday routines and to always have a bottle with them.

Trends in the Environment and Health

Concerns regarding environmental and health hazards increased along with the use of plastic water bottles. People favored water over sugary drinks as they looked for healthier beverage options. Its development was further aided by the belief that bottled water was safer and purer than tap water. This conformity to wellness and health trends further increased the demand for plastic water bottles.

New Approaches to Packaging

The water bottle market kept coming up with new ideas to adapt to changing consumer demands. Businesses produced a range of bottle dimensions, forms, and accessories, like sports caps and ergonomic designs. Plastic water bottles’ convenience and adaptability were reinforced by these improvements, which catered to a variety of purposes.

History of Plastic Bottles FAQ

Q: When Did Plastic Water Bottles Become Popular?

A: Even while plastic bottles are widely available these days, their use is still relatively new. The first water bottles were created in the 1940s, and large-scale production of bottled water only happened for over ten years. The early varieties of synthetic plastic couldn’t keep the water’s quality or be waterproof; thus, they needed to be more appropriate for use in water. Large-scale production of water bottles began when PET plastic was developed.

Q: Why Did We start preferring Glass to Plastic Bottles?

A: In the second half of the 20th century, almost all water suppliers switched to plastic containers, despite the fact that you were much more likely to see water in glass bottles in the first half of the century. This was mainly due to the fact that plastic is far more affordable and versatile than glass. In an industry with skinny profit margins, the ability to mold plastic much more quickly and affordably made a significant impact.

Q: Where was the first time Plastic Water Bottles manufactured?

A: Even though it wasn’t intended for use as a water container, the first synthetic plastic was created at the beginning of the 20th century. Plastic packaging wasn’t commonly used until 1935, when polyethylene (PE) was made in England.

By imitating the glass blow molding method, two American inventors, Enoch Ferngren and William Kopitke, were able to produce the first plastic water bottles successfully.  They created the first apparatus that could shape plastic into bottles.

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About Manufacturer

We are a plastic drinkware supplier and manufacturer that specialized in the design, production and processing of various types of plastic water cups, bar supplies, and holiday party supplies. We have successfully developed and sold thousands of styles and varieties of plastic bar drink supplies.

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We have production equipment including 13 injection molding machines, 10 pad printing machines and screen printing machines, 5 blowing machines, mixing machines and heat transfer machines, 3 pulverizers and hot air dryers and 1 cooling tower. We can undertake one-stop production services.

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We are located in Ningbo, the beautiful coast city of the East China Sea. Adjacent to the three major ports of Beilun, Shanghai and Meishan, the transportation of export goods is very fast and convenient. Also, the Free Trade Zone policy can make the export process easier and faster.

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We are an experienced supplier that has the latest drinkware styles for you to choose from. We often launch new products. Suitable for sales on various channels and platforms, like restaurants, milk tea shops, amusement parks, supermarket promotions, online Amazon platforms, etc.

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With many years of manufacturing experience, the product quality is guaranteed. We support sample sending and proofing customization, make sure that the product meets your requirements. Bulk products pass the inspection and testing. 

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The source factory ensures that you get the lower price. Large quantity is welcome. We can save your extra cost of the warehousing, logistics and transportation. You will get high-quality products without breaking budget.

About the Manufacturer

We are a plastics manufacturer specializing in the production of plastic drinkware and barware. After more than ten years of development, we have successfully developed and sold thousands of styles and varieties of plastic cups, plastic bar supplies, and plastic holiday party supplies. We have established good cooperative relations with buyers from all over the world. And we hope to be your reliable partner. Read More

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Most frequent questions and answers

Are your product made from safe food grade materials?

All products we produced are safe food grade. It can be PET, PVC, PETG, PP, PE, PS and Tritan. Other eco-friendly green materials include PLA, bamboo fiber, wheat straw.

Are you a factory? Do you have molds?

Our factory has more than 100 molds and styles range from bottles, tumblers, cups, glasses, and other accessories.

We have 12 years’ experience in plastic manufacturing, and we have our own factory near ningbo airport.

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For the first cooperation, we will charge a sample fee as an agreement for each other, but  will return the fee when you place the order. And for the following cooperation, it’s free.

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Yes, we have sufficient inventory of some hot products. Please check with us for inventory for small quantity.

Usually our MOQ is 5000pcs, if you need lower qty as a trial order, that will be acceptable. Please feel free to let us know the qty you need, we can calculate the cost accordingly.

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