I asked AI Overview:

Is there more wastage from sauce left in squeeze bottles than there is from normal bottles and jars?

Yes, there is often more, or at least more persistent, wastage of sauce left in squeeze bottles compared to traditional jars and rigid bottles, primarily due to the difficulty in accessing the residual product trapped inside the flexible plastic. While squeeze bottles are designed for convenience and precise dispensing, they often leave behind significant residue that is hard to remove without cutting the bottle open.

Why Squeeze Bottles Often Have More Wastage:

Irretrievable Residue: Sauce often gathers in the shoulders and cap area of the squeeze bottle, making it inaccessible even when the bottle is stored upside down.

Difficulty in Cleaning: Squeeze bottles can be difficult to clean, and it is almost impossible to get the last bit of product out compared to using a spatula in a wide-mouthed jar.

Warpage and Damage: Plastic squeeze bottles can become warped or damaged, leading to frustration and, in some cases, the bottle being discarded with product still inside.

Transfer Loss: When transferring thicker sauces (like honey or syrup) from a jar into a squeeze bottle, product is lost in the transfer process, making the overall process less efficient.

Why Jars and Traditional Bottles Can Have Less Waste:

Easy Access: Wide-mouthed jars allow for the use of a spatula to scrape out almost every drop of sauce, resulting in negligible waste.

Reduced Initial Loss: With a traditional jar, the product goes directly from the container to the plate, eliminating the loss that occurs when transferring contents to a separate squeeze bottle.

Counterpoints and Considerations:

Upside-Down Design: Some modern “top-down” squeeze bottles are designed specifically to keep the sauce at the opening, which can reduce waste if used consistently.

Over-pouring with Jars: While jars are easy to empty, they can lead to higher wastage through over-pouring or the product drying out on the edges, whereas squeeze bottles provide more precise control.

Reuse Factor: For individuals who keep the plastic bottles and reuse them, the waste is lower, but this is less common than disposing of them.

Conclusion:

For maximum yield and minimal waste, especially for thick or viscous sauces, traditional jars combined with a spatula are generally more efficient. Squeeze bottles offer better control during use, but they often leave more residue behind in the packaging.