Why do we pack our brewer's yeast in single servings of foil?
We receive critical questions about the film in which the liquid yeast is packed on a regular basis. We did not make the decision easy and searched for a long time for a suitable material. The sensitive organic yeast must be protected from oxygen, which would penetrate every time a 150 ml container was opened. Brewer's yeast lovers find the portions practical for on the go.
Spontaneously, glass is rated as more environmentally friendly than plastic. (True: 100 g glass is certainly more environmentally friendly than 100 g plastic). We have considered various packaging solutions carefully and yet we decided on individual packaging in sticks (because they are light, hygienic and practical).
With this packaging, artificial preservation can be avoided. The liquid yeast in portioned sticks does not come into contact with oxygen and remains fresh until it is consumed. This packaging saves weight and material and thus (production and) transport costs, so it is good for the environment. In addition, we have succeeded in finding a foil that does not contain any aluminum coating or metal parts and does not contain any plasticizers. The required oxygen barrier is achieved by the special manufacturing method.
For one package (14 sticks - 210 ml) 11.2 g of this special foil is used.
A glass bottle for 200 ml weighs about 250 g. The closure alone, which will be made of plastic until further notice, weighs approx. 4 g.
Here are a few facts why plastic can be not only the more economical but also the more ecological solution.
- Production: To produce glass, an enormous amount of energy in the form of high temperatures is required - which must be recovered through long periods of use. First of all, glass production - like all production - is a minus on the ecological account. In addition, it must not be forgotten that glass is nothing more than concentrated sand - and this raw material is not infinitely available (just like petroleum, from which plastics are largely extracted).
- Transport: Generally speaking, the CO2 footprint of glass per gram is lower than that of plastic. The problem: Glass is much (!) heavier than plastic. Accordingly, transport consumes more energy. One and the same product can be filled into a 250 gram glass packaging or into a 12 gram plastic packaging.