Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

[DubaiSis]

Question for you smarty pants science types out there. Which is more environmentally friendly, the plastic jar of Stevia where you spoon out what you need or the box of little packets? Last time I bought the plastic thinking it was less waste but then I was thinking that the plastic is way more energy intensive to produce. And in the garbage (because I'm not confident in my apartment complex's recycling program or where the stuff actually ends up), the paperboard box and little paper packets would take up much less space and would certainly have more hope of biodegrading.

So what's the verdict?

Then, if the recycling DOES work as it should, does your answer change?