Home » Plastic Packaging Materials
Packaging Materials
Packaging materials are commonly grouped into rigid and flexible
structures. Plastic film, foil, papers and textiles are flexible materials;
whereas wood, glass, metal and hard plastics are example of rigid packaging
materials.
Plastic
This is the most common packaging material and, at the same time, one of
the most difficult to dispose of. The
factors common to all plastics are that they are light, strong and cheap to
manufacture. It is for these reasons that they are used so much, as an
alternative to cardboard and glass packaging materials.
Almost 10% of our rubbish consists of different types of plastic. They are
a problem in landfills as they are bulky, they contaminate and degrade
slowly.
Metal
Appropriate for packaging foods (canned foods). For drinks, such as soft
drinks and beers, aluminum is often used. Tin plate is a solid, heavy steel
covered with tin to protect it against rust. It is used to package canned
foods. It can be separated by magnets and should be recycled in all cases.
Aluminum is attractive, light and strong at the same time, but requires a
lot of raw materials and energy to make it. For this reason it must be
recycled. The majority of cans of soft drinks, lids, aluminum foil, etc. are
made from aluminum.
Cardboard
Appropriate for packaging materials and wrapping, preferable to "white
cork". Its use may prove to be unnecessary when used for products which
are already packaged sufficiently. In all cases, this packaging material is
easy to recycle and reuse. It is used in the form of boxes, sheets and
corrugated cardboard.
Glass
An ideal material for foods, especially liquids. It is inalterable, strong
and easy to recycle. It is the traditional vessel in the home (jars,
glasses, jugs, etc.). Its weight and shape may involve some difficulties for
transport and storage.
