steklenico

Steklenico is the Slovenian term for a glass bottle, a container primarily made of glass used to store liquids such as water, beverages, oils, medicines, and perfumes. The form is typically a hollow body with a narrow neck that is closed with a cap, cork, stopper, or other closure.

Design and materials. Most steklenice are made from soda-lime glass, which can be clear or colored with oxide additives. Common shapes vary from simple cylindrical forms to more sculpted profiles, often optimized for handling, pouring, and shelf presentation. Colors such as amber and emerald-green help protect contents from light.

Production and closure. Glass bottles are produced through processes like blow molding, press-and-blow, or fully automated bottle production lines. The raw materials—silica sand, soda ash, and limestone—are melted in furnaces, formed into bottles, and then annealed to relieve internal stresses. Closures range from screw caps and crown caps to corks and plastic stoppers, chosen for compatibility with the contents and the desired seal.

Uses and sizes. Steklenice cover a wide range of capacities, from small vials and test bottles to larger bottles around 0.5 to 1 liter and beyond. They are widely used in food and beverage packaging, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and laboratory settings. Reusable and recyclable designs are common in many markets.

Environmental and recycling aspects. Glass bottles are highly recyclable and can be remelted without loss of quality, allowing closed-loop recycling. Recycling reduces energy use and raw material extraction, though collection, sorting, and transport affect overall environmental impact. Reuse and refill programs are increasingly encouraged where feasible.

See also. Glass bottle, bottle, glass packaging, recycling of glass.