Why Plastic Options and Not Exclusively Glass?

Long answer

We are trying glass again! RAW ALOE IN GLASS COMING SOON!! FALL 2026 🙂

ONLY PURCHASE GLASS IF YOU COMMIT TO FOLLOWING OUR RE-FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS!

Our History with Glass

We tried glass years ago; however, aloe expands 30% more than water. The glass cracks or breaks when re-freezing instructions are not followed correctly.

Plus, many were not willing to pay the extra money for the cost of glass. We needed to find the next best thing: BPA-free HDPE, which is non-toxic and economical for our aloe.

What is HDPE?

High-density polyethylene, commonly known as HDPE or resin code “2”. HDPE is a polymer with a highly linear structure; its molecular chains have minimal branching, which allows the chains to pack closely together. This packing results in a material with superior barrier properties preventing substances from easily passing through the polymer matrix ensuring that the plastic itself does not readily react with its contents. This is the primary reason HDPE demonstrates excellent resistance with minimized risk of chemical transfer to most acids, alkalis, and organic solvents making it chemically inert and generally accepted as safe according to the FDA and EFSA.

Thin lower-quality plastics on the other hand are not as durable and leach harmful substances. This issue mainly arises from the manufacturing process and presence of BPA. Click here to read why we us BPA-free plastic. There is no BPA in our HDPE bottles.

Executing our HDPE Choice Safely

We package our raw aloe in BPA-free containers that cure for 3 months at 70 degrees before use and are never warmed/heated. Raw aloe does not contain any acidic substances that could break down this strong thick plastic. We bottle at room temperature and freeze our aloe. Since heat is not involved there is not a concern with heat breakdown transfer of the polymer. We do not add any chemicals or preservatives either. Compared to other plastics, BPA-free HDPE is a better option and is also more affordable than glass for those on a tighter budget.

Proper curing time allows plastics to cool and cure, which is vital to the integrity of the plastic. Water bottles are a well-known example of this problem. Manufacturers often pour water into these bottles just minutes after they are made and then seal them immediately. This leaves no time for the materials to cure, off-gas, or breathe. Additionally, these bottles are typically thin, flimsy, not durable, and contain BPA. Here is an article describing the proven reasons.

HDPE vs Glass

Our BPA-free plastic bottles are cheaper to buy, lighter to ship, and more durable requiring less shipping materials. Therefore, if you are on a tight budget, you can choose this economical option to get untainted fresh raw aloe vera instead of our more expensive glass options. Glass is the obvious “cleanest” choice, but it does require high consumer responsibility in re-freezing exactly as we prescribe and is more costly.

What to do with the plastic?

We encourage you to recycle or reuse your BPA-free HDPE bottles. For example, many people buy small bottles and half-gallon containers. They refill the smaller bottles with the liquid from the half-gallon containers. Others use these bottles as watering pitchers for their plants, for growing seedlings, or for kids’ crafts. Get creative!