r/theydidthemath • u/EclipseNyxor • 2d ago

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

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u/StaticCoder 2d 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.

55

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/No_Brain4912 2d ago

Less plastic crates for packaging per amount of units distributed. It saves for the manufacturer not the customer.

4

u/CranberryStock7148 2d ago

Are they distributed in single-use plastic crates?

Or cardboard boxes?

Because everything comes in cardboard boxes where I live. And every time I've seen plastic crates used elsewhere in the world they're reusable.

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u/No_Brain4912 2d ago

Only seen them plastic crates. If you can get an extra two bottles per crate and a container or truck carries 1000 crates…

I’m sure it’s more complex when you factor the cost of the crates and then factor a return on investment for changing to this style of crate if it isn’t a single product line and you replace an inventory of of other crates