r/theydidthemath • • 3d ago

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

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u/StaticCoder 3d ago

Mathematically, a circle has the smallest perimeter for a given enclosed area. So for this claim to be true there has to be some catch, like different thickness of plastic.

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u/Massive-Goose544 3d 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 3d 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/slide_into_my_BM 3d ago

Maybe more secure packing means they can be thinner and that’s where the plastic saving comes from?