LET US GO BACK TO REUSING GLASS BOTTLES INSTEAD OF ONE-WAY PLASTIC BOTTLES

LET US GO BACK TO REUSING GLASS BOTTLES INSTEAD OF ONE-WAY PLASTIC BOTTLES

It seems that there is no longer any hope of stopping the relentless flow of one-way plastic bottles into our dumpsites, landfills, rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans. Is there no other solution to this pressing environmental crisis?

Perhaps the only way to truly put an end to the pollution caused by one-way plastic bottles is to totally ban their use. But if we are to eliminate them, what is the best alternative? Is there a new and innovative idea we could come up with? If we cannot create something new, why not revive an old idea—one that has already been proven effective?

In fact, that is exactly what some foreign countries have done. Instead of continuing to use single-use plastic, they have reintroduced reusable and returnable glass bottles. These bottles are, in a sense, "multi-use" and "multi-way," making them a far superior alternative to plastic waste.

Technically, these reusable and returnable glass bottles cannot even be called "recyclable" in the traditional sense because there is no need to reprocess them beyond washing and cleaning. In many countries, bottle deposit systems are still in place, allowing consumers to return used bottles for a refund, ensuring that they are properly collected, cleaned, and reused.

I remember a time when the Philippines used this system effectively. I was part of the advertising team for Coca-Cola when it was still owned by San Miguel Corporation. At that time, Coca-Cola was sold in glass bottles, and the system worked perfectly well. There was nothing wrong with it. Similarly, when I was part of the advertising team for Magnolia Milk, we also used returnable glass bottles, and again, it was an efficient and sustainable system.

Back then, Coca-Cola and Magnolia Milk used proprietary glass bottle designs with their logos permanently imprinted on them. However, the trend in many countries today is different. Instead of each company using its own bottle design, many beverage manufacturers now use standard, generic glass bottles. This means that any manufacturer can use the same bottle simply by changing the paper label, making the system even more efficient.

Of course, some local manufacturers may not welcome this change, as they might feel they are losing their unique branding. However, they must also recognize the environmental crisis we are facing and make some sacrifices for the greater good. Besides, they can still maintain a distinctive brand identity through their labels and marketing strategies.

If such a system were backed by a national law and supported by local ordinances, manufacturers would have no choice but to comply. This shift is not just about corporate responsibility—it is about survival. If we do not take drastic action now, most marine life in our oceans will die, leading to severe consequences for food security and ecological balance.

On the brighter side, transitioning to reusable glass bottles could create new job opportunities. The process of collecting, sorting, and cleaning bottles would provide livelihoods for many unemployed individuals, further benefiting society.

Germany has successfully implemented a bottle reuse system known as the "Mehrwegsystem" (multi-way system). Consumers purchase beverages in glass bottles and pay a small deposit, which they get back upon returning the bottles to retailers. The bottles are then cleaned, refilled, and put back into circulation, significantly reducing waste. This system has been adopted in other countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Mexico, and even parts of Canada and the United States.

If other nations can successfully revive the use of reusable glass bottles, why can't we? The Philippines already has a history of using returnable glass bottles, so reintroducing this system should not be difficult. All we need is the political will to implement and enforce it.

Recycling plastic is difficult and inefficient. If we truly care about our environment, we must take bold steps now. The time has come to say no to single-use plastics and return to a tried-and-tested solution: reusable glass bottles. Let us act before it is too late.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

03-10-2025