Lightweighting rigid containers is extremely important for the future of rigid packaging. Overall, plastics are lighter and more efficient than many alternatives. The lighter weight reduces their environmental footprint by decreasing waste, energy use and carbon emissions through the full life cycle of a product.
For example, glass baby food jars produce between 25 percent and 33 percent more greenhouse gases than plastic ones. Also, plastic pots send fewer pollutants into waterways and require less acreage compared to glass jars.