Why is milk sold in rectangular containers, while soft drinks are sold in round ones?
by 
Galeanda
ANSWERS: 8
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Milk containers and soft drink containers have to perform different functions. The biggest difference is that soft drink containers have to maintain the carbonation. Because of this, the containers have gone under very different research and development paths. Also, they use different types of plastic.
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Carbonated soft drinks need a cylindrical shape and to be made of metal to hold the pressure within: if made rectangular ones, the pressure would "round them out". The machinery for handling them is all focussed on cylindrical shapes, so many non-carbonated drinks are also sold in cylinders - but some are sold in rectangular card packages. On the other hand milk, a relatively low value added liquid. benefits from the closer packing and hence less shelf space of the square package.
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In all my born days I have never thought about it! Soft drinks are sold very often in dispensers, which have round holes..I supposed they could make the holes square but that might be problematic. I suppose if milk were sold in machine dispensers they'd be sold in round bottles..when the milkman delivered milk to our house many years ago the glass bottles were kinda round. The square containers are all plastic coated cardboard..maybe square is easier to make than round! :)
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always thought milk was sold in square containers for ease of shipping and soda in round to look bigger & require less content for the same price
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There are really only two differences possible...... People recognize milk as coming in square containers and..... Soft drinks come in round cans. It may only be an advertising ploy, but it works. Another thought..........people who are blind. Blind people can feel the difference between square and round. Square for milk, round for soft drink. Maybe??
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In England we had cylindrical milk containers, amongst other shapes.
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I think that it has to do with their usage, at least partly. The shape of a milk bottle isn't designed for comfort, like the soda bottle, because it isn't as apt to be carried around like a soda bottle is. Carrying around a square soda bottle would be pretty uncomfortable, I think.
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Milk has to be refridgerated for it not to spoil, and refridgeration space costs money. It is more cost-effective to have milk in square containers that can fit together and waste the least refridgeration space. Sodas are carbonated, and the cylindrical shape is the most structurally sound shape to hold in that pressure while using the least necessary material. That's my answer.
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