Packaging Materials

Packaging is any sealed box, bag, or container used to transport or store goods and materials. Packaging is also any type of outer wrapper, box, or container used to protect items from damage or contamination. Packaging can be used for items such as electronics, food and beverages, or cosmetics. Packaging is also designed to help “sell” these items. Packaging labels are used to list important information or instructions about the product, while eye-catching packaging materials are utilized based on their ability to attract the customer's attention.

Types of Packaging Materials

There are many different types of packaging materials available on the market today. Some of the most common types include the following:

• Aluminum


• Cardboard


• Paper


• Plastic


• Steel


• Wood.

Various factors such as size of object, weight, and value will determine the best type of packaging materials to use. In general, cardboard and paper are used most often to create a variety of packaging styles, with plastic coming in at a close second. Bags, bottles, boxes, cans, cartons, blister packs, pallets, and wrappers are some of the most common types of packages.

Types of Packages

Bags are typically made from packaging materials such as plastic or paper and they popular in just about every industry, but bags are most often associated with food packaging. Bottles (glass or plastic) are also used in just about every industry, and they, too, are usually associated with food packaging. Bottles are also associated with packaging for beverages, art supplies, toiletries, and pharmaceuticals. Boxes are a popular choice for storing and transporting electronics, automotive supplies, and furniture, to name a few. Cans and cartons are commonly used for beverages and solid and liquid-based foods.

Blister Packs, Pallets, and Wrappers

Blister packs are highly specialized and they are popular in the pharmaceutical industry because they help to prevent tampering. Blister packs are made from plastic or PVC and foil. In the pharmaceutical industry, pills are stored in little “blisters” or bubbles, and they must be pushed through the foil in order to release the pill. Pallets are used for transporting, loading, and unloading goods in places such as factories or warehouses. Wrappers are thin plastic sheets or pouches that are commonly used to wrap/package foods such as candy bars, but they are also commonly used for storing or shipping clothing.

Packaging and the Environment

Over 90% of all products in the United States are shipped in corrugated cardboard boxes. The industry name for corrugated cardboard boxes is “old corrugated cardboard” or “corrugated cardboard.” Most people simply refer to CCBs as “cardboard.” No matter which name you prefer, cardboard is considered the most environmentally friendly packaging material on the planet. Cardboard is also one of the most widely accepted packaging materials for recycling. Glass and plastic packaging materials are also widely accepted for recycling, but aluminum drink cans are the most recycled packaging containers. Fifty percent of aluminum cans used in the United States are recycled.

When considering a packaging material for a move, for business, or for manufacturing, it is best to opt for materials that are environmentally friendly and easiest to recycle.

By Michelle Burton