Plastics in packaging

School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 

Plastics and the Environment, Edited by Anthony L. Andiady. ISBN 0-471-09520-6 2003 John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

In this chapter, we will examine the types of plastics packaging, their fabrication methods, their occurrence in municipal solid waste, environmental impacts (both positive and negative) associated with their use and disposal, and packaging changes that can reduce those environmental impacts. First, we will examine 

While packaging functions can be grouped in various ways, one common grouping is contaimnent, protection, utility, and communication. While grouping the functions in this way makes discussion easier, it should be emphasized that the boundaries between the groups are not always clear-cut, and in many cases a single package feature serves multiple functions. 

Containment is the most basic package function. It is not possible to transport a liqnid or grannlar prodnct withont containing it in some fashion. For larger prodncts that conld conceivably be transported without a container, contaimnent simplifies the task by making it possible to handle a number of products as a unit—the reason most people bring their groceries home in a bag. 

The production processes for plastics from crude oil to fabricated product are much less labour and energy intensive than traditional materials. Table 2.1 compares the energy usage in the manufacture of typical packaging materials. 

It is not always fully appreciated by environmental campaigners that the manufacture of paper is more environmentally polluting than the 

Container Energy used in manufacture Energy produced during combustion kcal 

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Sterilization is an important process that involves a major market for the use of plastics in packaging. The most common methods of sterilization are those using heat, steam... 

Rapra Training Courses are held at Rapra or on-site and may also be developed to meet clients specific requirements. Popular courses include Plastics Materials and Products Designing and Engineering with Ruhr ber Testing and Specification of Polymer Products Plastics in Packaging. 

LSMBSs are designed so that the types of data to be collected meet particular objectives regarding how the data will be used. For example, the number of exemplars collected in the LSMBS will depend on the use planned for the study results. Thus, if the levels of plasticizer in packaged foods will be determined to address an acute (i.e., short-term) dietary exposure and risk concern, the sample size (i.e., number of food packages to be collected) must be adequate to support the higher percentiles... 

As we will see in Chapter 9, multilayer blow molding is sometimes used as a way to incorporate recycled polymer in food-grade bottles. For safety reasons the use of recycled plastics in packaging that comes in direct contact... 

This section reviews the market opportunities for manufacturers of biodegradable plastics in packaging markets. 

Thermoplastics may be further subdivided into two broad categories on the basis of their cost and suitable end uses. Commodity plastics are typified by high volume production, good properties, and low resin cost. The four major commodity plastics are polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), and polystyrene. Their adequate properties and low cost have led to the extensive use of these plastics in packaging applications where they are very competitive with paper, steel, and glass. They are also used for some less demanding applications as components of durable goods (Table 22.1). 

R. Beswick and A. G. Dunn, Plastics in Packaging—Western Europe and North America, Market Report, 2002. 

Plastics in packaging, particularly the polyethylenes, have experienced tremendous growth in the Sixties. Now it apears that the vinyls are at the threshold of very rapid growth in the blown bottle field and the 1970s should see this become one of the major markets for PVC. The packaging film field is another market where the vinyls are in the early stages of growth. 

Due to the extensive use of plastics in packaging, most of the plastics waste is found in domestic refuse. Table 1.3 summarizes the plastics waste generated by... 

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