Packaging is a tool that protects and contains our goods and it should first of all provide convenience for the consumer,facilitate storage,increase self life,protect the environment and be compatible with consumer trends.To date packaging materials have been to a large extent based on non biodegradable materials,they consist a variety of petroleum-derived plastic polymers ,metal and glass.The only widely used biodegradable packaging material are paper and board (which are based to cellulose,the most abundant and renewable polymer world wide).These materials and polymers are used in various combinations to prepare materials with unique properties which efficiently ensure safety and quality of products through handling and storage to consumer use.
1.Currently used materials .
a)Petroleum derivatives (plastic caps and bottles,polyethylene packages-bags for food and garment packaging,films for wrapping purposes ,shrink films for multiple items packaging,PVC -polivinyl chloride-packages such as films/tubing for wrapping consumer items).
Plastics tend to be lighter in weight, they augment shelf life and they are non toxic.
Furthermore they improve safety and convenience for the consumer as being unbreakable and easy to hold.
On the other point of view plastic packages can t tolerate high temperatures,they also increase waste.Plastics do not dissolve so they are a major contributor of environmental pollution.
b)Metal (tin plates and cans),can withstand high temperatures and they present high storage convenience as well as long self life ,moreover they are easy to use and unbreakable.
On the contrary cans are found to be difficult to open,they are not reclosable and their content is neither fresh nor healthy(too many preservatives).Furthermore tin plates and cans have no modern image to the consumer their shape and design is not original. .
c)Glass (for refreshments and edible oils)has a long self life it is also refillable which reduces costs.