| Packaging materials are an essential part of our | | | | Reusing reduces the amount of material requiring |
| lifestyle & perform several important functions, | | | | disposal, preserves raw materials and saves the |
| for example, protecting products on their journey | | | | energy used in the manufacture and transport of |
| from the manufacture & distribution process to | | | | virgin containers such as bottles & cans. A |
| the end user, marketing a product brand and | | | | significant amount of products are delivered in |
| providing information to consumers. | | | | containers that could be re-used many times. |
| The choice of materials is influenced by many | | | | Numerous studies have been carried out into the |
| factors including the move some retailers are | | | | relative benefits of reusable versus one-way |
| making towards shelf-ready packaging in order to | | | | packaging. Results do vary, but in the majority of |
| reduce handling costs. Too much packaging means | | | | environments reuse does appear to be an |
| unnecessary use of materials, higher carbon | | | | environmentally preferable option although it does |
| emissions and extra cost. | | | | to a large extent rely on the assistance of |
| In order to effectively reduce the quantities of | | | | retailers and consumers. One positive method of |
| packaging materials used by industry there are 3 | | | | obtaining support for re-using containers would be |
| main ways to achieve this; | | | | to encourage customers to recycle in exchange |
| - Substituting lighter materials | | | | for cash or other products. Another effective |
| - Re-using packaging materials | | | | method is the use of plastic sleeves on bottles to |
| - Increasing percentage of recycled content | | | | prevent damage & help to increase the number |
| | | | | of return trips they can make. |
| Lighter Materials | | | | Recycling |
| Employing modern, lighter materials in place of | | | | There are technical limits to how far packaging |
| traditional ones is a key factor in the reduction of | | | | materials can be reduced and reuse is not always |
| packaging materials & hence a reduction in energy | | | | appropriate for the market. In these |
| consumption. These days most new substitute | | | | circumstances, it is particularly important that the |
| materials & grades are as effective as their older | | | | recycled content of a packaging material is |
| equivalents yet as strong & robust with little or | | | | maximised. In many parts of the world most |
| no loss in performance. As these new materials | | | | waste ends up in landfill sites and litter can also be |
| are lighter, utilising them often brings a financial | | | | a real problem particularly in the developing |
| saving which makes the whole process more | | | | countries. It is vital that efforts to facilitate the |
| commercially viable. Significant, large scale, global | | | | recycling of waste are maintained by providing an |
| reduction of packaging material can only be | | | | end-market for recycled material and encouraging |
| properly achieved if industry & commerce can | | | | appropriate disposal. Furthermore, working with |
| demonstrate real benefits in terms of efficiency | | | | local authorities, national government, local |
| & cost reduction. | | | | communities & volunteers to collect & recycle |
| Re-using packaging materials | | | | packaging waste is paramount. |