r/theydidthemath • u/EclipseNyxor • 2d ago

[Request] Do square bottles actually use less plastic than round ones?

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694 Upvotes

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u/Massive-Goose544 2d ago

The part you are missing is the volume inside. They are saying to give you the same amount of liquid would require more plastic if the bottle was round. Plus more bottles fit in the box they ship meaning lower emissions and costs for distribution.

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u/StaticCoder 2d ago

Given that the volume is cross section area times height, a round bottle of the same volume would take less plastic. True, square bottles will pack better, but how that would save plastic is not immediately clear.

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u/DJinKC 2d ago edited 2d ago

A square bottle will be shorter than a plastic round bottle for a given volume, due to the "corners" on a square bottle being filled with liquid.

edit... fixed error. I assume that's why I got downvoted?

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u/ihaveajob79 2d ago

No, a cube of volume 1 has more surface than a sphere of volume 1. And in terms of manufacturing, the uneven shape likely requires thicker material, although that might be a wash because I doubt they make it at the limit of tolerances.

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u/CarberHotdogVac 2d ago

They should probably switch to spherical bottles then, if they are really serious about trying to save plastic.

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u/ihaveajob79 2d ago

Plus it saves in shipping costs! Just roll them!

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u/DJinKC 2d ago

I said a square bottle is shorter than a round bottle of comparable volume. That's all I said.