Blister Packs vs Jars: How Your Supplement Should Be Stored
Written by Kate Freeman, Reviewed by Jenny Wordsworth.
When you're on a journey to conceive, you likely put thought into the food you eat, the routines you follow, and the supplements you take. However, one important detail often goes overlooked: how those supplements are stored. The packaging—whether in blister packs or jars—can significantly affect your health and the quality of the supplements.
Let’s explore the differences between blister packs and jars and why choosing the right storage method can make a difference for your wellness and the planet.
Environmental Impact: The Downsides of Blister Packs
Blister packs are popular because of their convenience—they make it easy to pop out your daily dose, keep track of what you’ve taken, and fit neatly in a bag. But this convenience comes with environmental costs. Blister packs are single-use and often made from a combination of plastic and aluminium, which are notoriously difficult to recycle. Most recycling facilities can’t handle these materials, meaning over 150 million blister packs end up in landfills each year, contributing to plastic pollution and taking centuries to break down. This figure is estimated to be generated by the NHS alone, and doesn’t take into account blister packs produced by private companies in the UK.
Glass jars, in contrast, offer a more sustainable option. Recyclable, reusable, and often made from biodegradable materials, glass jars are an eco-friendly choice. OVUM’s glass packaging, for instance, ensures that your supplement routine isn’t leaving a negative footprint. At OVUM, we believe fertility support should align with your values and making a switch to jars can be a simple yet powerful way to support both your health and the planet.
Health Considerations: How Packaging Affects Supplement Quality
Blister packs can affect the quality of the supplements they hold. While they provide some protection from air and moisture, the plastic materials used can degrade over time, especially when exposed to fluctuating temperatures or sunlight. Clear blister packs, in particular, can allow sunlight to degrade the quality of nutrients, reducing the supplement’s potency.
Glass jars, particularly dark amber ones, offer superior protection by blocking light and maintaining a stable environment for the supplements inside. This helps preserve potency, ensuring you’re getting the maximum benefits from every dose. OVUM’s packaging is designed to give your supplements the protection they need without risk of degradation from external elements.
Chemical Concerns: The Safety of Your Supplement’s Storage
Blister packs and some plastic containers may contain harmful chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol A) and phthalates. These chemicals are known as endocrine disruptors and can interfere with hormone balance—a crucial factor when trying to conceive. Research has shown that exposure to BPA and Phthalates can negatively impact fertility by affecting egg and sperm quality.
Choosing BPA-free and phthalate-free packaging is a must, especially when trying to conceive. OVUM ensures that all our packaging is free from these harmful substances, so you can trust that what’s supporting your fertility journey is free from unnecessary chemicals.
User Experience: Ease and Efficiency with Jars
Using supplements stored in blister packs can be frustrating. The rigid plastic, sharp edges, and popping mechanism can damage the pill or hurt your fingers, especially when you’re rushing through your routine. Glass jars, however, are easy to open, resealable, and designed to be convenient for both home and travel.
At OVUM, we’ve designed our jars with ease in mind—no struggling with hard-to-open packs, just a smooth and effortless experience that integrates seamlessly into your daily wellness routine.
Choosing the Right Packaging: What to Look For
To get the most from your supplements, look for these features in their packaging:
- Glass Bottles: Dark glass bottles, such as amber, provide the best protection for nutrient integrity and are both recyclable and reusable.
- BPA-Free Plastics: If you prefer a lightweight option, opt for BPA-free plastics to avoid chemicals that could disrupt hormone health.
- Compostable Pouches: For those who travel frequently, compostable pouches made from plant-based materials are becoming a great option. Watch this space for OVUM versions launching soon.
OVUM’s Commitment to Sustainable, Effective Supplement Storage
At OVUM, we’re committed to sustainability and quality—not just in the supplements we offer, but in the way we package them. We believe that fertility support shouldn’t come at the cost of environmental harm. By choosing materials that protect your supplements and the planet, we ensure that you don’t have to compromise on either.
Switching to eco-friendly, glass-jar packaging for your fertility supplements is a small but impactful way to support your health journey while being kind to the environment. You shouldn’t have to choose between effective fertility support and sustainability.