PCR Plastic vs. Glass: Which Is Really Better?

PCR Plastic vs. Glass: Which Is Really Better?

Myth: All plastic is bad for the planet. Glass and ceramic are always the greener choice.

Truth: This oversimplified view misses the nuanced reality of sustainable packaging. At SITCH, we've made the deliberate choice to use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic because the data tells a different story than conventional wisdom suggests.

The Carbon Truth About PCR Plastic

Using PCR plastic dramatically reduces environmental impact compared to virgin materials. PCR plastics cut carbon emissions by 79-86% and slash energy consumption by at least 79% compared to virgin plastic production. While PCR costs significantly more to produce, this investment drives crucial demand for recycled materials in a system where global plastic recycling rates remain stubbornly low at just 9% of total production.

Every SITCH bottle made from PCR plastic helps close this recycling loop, creating economic incentives for communities to recycle more rather than sending plastic to landfills. With every bottle being refillable, the premium investment makes perfect sense for long-term environmental impact.

The Hidden Environmental Cost of "Premium" Materials

Glass might feel more eco-friendly and luxurious, but recent studies reveal its heavy environmental burden. Glass packaging weighs significantly more than plastic—up to 800g for a one-liter glass bottle versus just 40g for plastic—dramatically increasing transportation emissions.

The numbers are striking: producing 1,000,000 2-oz glass jars generates 246.6 metric tons of CO2 compared to just 49.4 metric tons for plastic equivalents—a difference of 197.2 metric tons. Glass production requires furnace temperatures of 2,600-2,800°F compared to plastic's 400-500°F, making glass manufacturing 3-4 times more carbon-intensive per unit.

In bathroom environments, glass and ceramic present safety risks from breakage, while their fragility leads to higher product loss during shipping and handling. For a brand committed to getting effective haircare safely into the hands of stylists and consumers, PCR plastic simply makes more sense.

Building the Circular Economy, One Bottle at a Time

Current reality check: only 9% of plastic waste globally gets recycled, with 91% ending up in landfills or oceans. In the U.S., the plastic recycling rate has actually dropped to just 5%—the worst among developed countries. By choosing PCR plastic for our refillable range and creating products worth refilling, SITCH generates market demand that incentivizes better recycling infrastructure.

Our tessellating bottle design isn't just aesthetically pleasing—it has won the BEST IN SHOW Dieline award and been recognized as a Sustainable Champion by Beauty Independent's Beacon Award. Who says eco-friendly cannot also look elevated and elegant?

The Bottom Line

Sustainable haircare isn't about following trends or choosing materials that sound good on paper—it's about making decisions based on environmental impact data. We're committed to doing what we can with what we have to reduce environmental impact while delivering the performance hair deserves.

SITCH's PCR plastic packaging represents a commitment to both planetary health and product efficacy, because truly sustainable beauty should never require compromise. When someone holds a SITCH bottle, they're holding proof that better packaging leads to a better future—one refill at a time.

___________________________________________________________________________

References

  1. U.S. Plastics Pact. (2024). "Why Use PCR?" Retrieved from https://usplasticspact.org/why-use-pcr/

  2. The Climate Drive. "Lower product emissions with recycled (PCR) plastics." Retrieved from https://www.theclimatedrive.org/action-library/use-of-pcr-plastics-to-lower-carbon-footprint

  3. APG Packaging. (2024). "Can PCR plastic be recycled again?" Retrieved from https://apackaginggroup.com/blogs/news/can-pcr-plastic-be-recycled-again

  4. Alpha Packaging. (2025). "How PCR Packaging Reduces Plastic Waste and Your Carbon Footprint." Retrieved from https://www.alphapackaging.com/how-pcr-packaging-reduces-plastic-waste-and-your-carbon-footprint/

  5. Recycling Today. (2024). "PCR Plastic: A Sustainable Solution for a Circular Economy." Retrieved from https://www.recyclingtoday.org/blogs/news/pcr-plastic-a-sustainable-solution-for-a-circular-economy

  6. Phys.org. (2025). "Global plastic recycling rates 'stagnant' at under 10%: Study." Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2025-04-global-plastic-recycling-stagnant.html

  7. The Dieline. (2024). "Sitch Hair Was Designed For Everyone With Hair." Retrieved from https://thedieline.com/sitch-hair-was-designed-for-everyone-with-hair/

  8. World Brand Design. (2024). "Lyon & Lyon Takes a Unique Approach to Branding and Packaging for Conscious Haircare Brand Sitch." Retrieved from https://worldbranddesign.com/lyon-lyon-takes-a-unique-approach-to-branding-and-packaging-for-conscious-haircare-brand-sitch/

  9. The Dieline. (2024). "Lyon & Lyon Win Big With Sitch, a Refillable Haircare Brand." Retrieved from https://thedieline.com/best-in-show-lyon-lyon-win-big-with-sitch-a-refillable-haircare-brand/

  10. Mod Hair Salon. (2024). "Our SITCH: Sustainable, Clean Hair Care That Works." Retrieved from https://www.modhairsalon.com/blog-1/2024/11/17/our-sitch-sustainable-clean-hair-care-that-works

  11. The Sustainable Agency. (2025). "50+ Recycling Facts & Stats for 2025 | Plastic, Glass & More." Retrieved from https://thesustainableagency.com/blog/recycling-facts-and-statistics/

  12. Trayak. (2025). "Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCR) - A Comprehensive Guide." Retrieved from https://trayak.com/post-consumer-recycled-content-in-packaging/

  13. IFC. (2024). "The Run on Recycled Plastic." Retrieved from https://www.ifc.org/en/insights-reports/2025/the-run-on-recycled-plastic

  14. Sitch Haircare. "No More Compromises - Mission and Values." Retrieved from https://sitchhair.com/pages/sitch-mission-and-values

  15. Estetica Magazine. (2024). "SITCH Haircare Earns Prestigious Packaging Award." Retrieved from https://www.esteticamagazine.com/2024/05/13/sitch-haircare-earns-prestigious-packaging-award/

Previous Article
Next Article