Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or

protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use.

Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation,
and production of packages. Packaging can be described as
a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport,
warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use. Packaging
contains, protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells.
[1] In many countries it is fully integrated into government,
business, institutional, industrial, and personal use.

The purposes of packaging and package labels

Packaging and package labeling have several objectives[2]

 Physical protection - The objects enclosed in the package may require protection from,
among other things, shock, vibration, compression, temperature[3], etc.
 Barrier protection - A barrier from oxygen, water vapor, dust, etc., is often required.
Permeation is a critical factor in design. Some packages contain desiccants or Oxygen
absorbers to help extend shelf life. Modified atmospheres [4] or controlled atmospheres
are also maintained in some food packages. Keeping the contents clean, fresh, sterile[5]
and safe for the intended shelf life is a primary function.
 Containment or agglomeration - Small objects are typically grouped together in one
package for reasons of efficiency. For example, a single box of 1000 pencils requires less
physical handling than 1000 single pencils. Liquids, powders, and granular materials
need containment.
 Information transmission - Packages and labels communicate how to use, transport,
recycle, or dispose of the package or product. With pharmaceuticals, food, medical, and
chemical products, some types of information are required by governments. Some
packages and labels also are used for track and trace purposes.
 Marketing - The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage potential
buyers to purchase the product. Package graphic design and physical design have been
important and constantly evolving phenomenon for several decades. Marketing
communications and graphic design are applied to the surface of the package and (in
many cases) the point of sale display.
 Security - Packaging can play an important role in reducing the security risks of
shipment. Packages can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering and
also can have tamper-evident[6] features to help indicate tampering. Packages can be
engineered to help reduce the risks of package pilferage: Some package constructions are
more resistant to pilferage and some have pilfer indicating seals. Packages may include
 authentication seals and use security printing to help indicate that the package and
contents are not counterfeit. Packages also can include anti-theft devices, such as dye-
packs, RFID tags, or electronic article surveillance[7] tags that can be activated or detected
by devices at exit points and require specialized tools to deactivate. Using packaging in
this way is a means of loss prevention.
 Convenience - Packages can have features that add convenience in distribution,
handling, stacking, display, sale, opening, reclosing, use, dispensing, and reuse.
 Portion control - Single serving or single dosage packaging has a precise amount of
contents to control usage. Bulk commodities (such as salt) can be divided into packages
that are a more suitable size for individual households. It is also aids the control of
inventory: selling sealed one-liter-bottles of milk, rather than having people bring their
own bottles to fill themselves.

Packaging types

Various household packaging types for foods

Packaging may be looked at as being of several different types. For example a transport
package or distribution package can be the shipping container used to ship, store, and handle
the product or inner packages. Some identify a consumer package as one which is directed
toward a consumer or household.

Packaging may be described in relation to the type of product being packaged: medical device
packaging, bulk chemical packaging, over-the-counter drug packaging, retail food packaging,
military materiel packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, etc.
Aluminium can with a pull tab

It is sometimes convenient to categorize packages by layer or function: "primary", "secondary",

etc.

 Primary packaging is the material that first envelops the product and holds it. This
usually is the smallest unit of distribution or use and is the package which is in direct
contact with the contents.
 Secondary packaging is outside the primary packaging, perhaps used to group primary
packages together.
 Tertiary packaging is used for bulk handling, warehouse storage and transport shipping.
The most common form is a palletized unit load that packs tightly into containers.

Symbols used on packages and labels

With transport packages, standardised symbols are also used to communicate handling needs.
Some common ones are shown below while others are listed in ASTM D5445 "Standard Practice
for Pictorial Markings for Handling of Goods" and ISO 780 "Pictorial marking for handling of
goods".

Fragile Do not use hand hooksThis way up Keep away from sunlight
 Clamp as
indicated Do not clamp as indicated
Keep away from waterCentre of gravity

[edit] Package development considerations

Environmental considerations

Package development involves considerations for sustainability, environmental responsibility,

and applicable environmental and recycling regulations. It may involve a life cycle assessment[12]
[13]
which considers the material and energy inputs and outputs to the package, the packaged
product (contents), the packaging process, the logistics system[14], waste management, etc. It is
necessary to know the relevant regulatory requirements for point of manufacture, sale, and use.

The traditional “three R’s” of reduce, reuse, and recycle are part of a waste hierarchy which may
be considered in product and package development.

The waste hierarchy

 Prevention – Waste prevention is a primary goal. Packaging should be used only where needed.
Proper packaging can also help prevent waste. Packaging plays an important part in preventing
loss or damage to the packaged-product (contents). Usually, the energy content and material
usage of the product being packaged are much greater than that of the package. A vital function
of the package is to protect the product for its intended use: if the product is damaged or
degraded, its entire energy and material content may be lost. [15][16]
  Minimization – (also "source reduction") The mass and volume of packaging (per unit of
contents) can be measured and used as one of the criteria to minimize during the package
design process. Usually “reduced” packaging also helps minimize costs. Packaging engineers
continue to work toward reduced packaging. [17]
 Reuse – The reuse of a package or component for other purposes is encouraged. Returnable
packaging has long been useful (and economically viable) for closed loop logistics systems.
Inspection, cleaning, repair and recouperage are often needed. Some manufacturers re-use the
packaging of the incoming parts for a product, either as packaging for the outgoing product [18] or
as part of the product itself.[19]
 Recycling – Recycling is the reprocessing of materials (pre- and post-consumer) into new
products. Emphasis is focused on recycling the largest primary components of a package: steel,
aluminum, papers, plastics, etc. Small components can be chosen which are not difficult to
separate and do not contaminate recycling operations.
 Energy recovery – Waste-to-energy and Refuse-derived fuel in approved facilities are able to
make use of the heat available from the packaging components.
 Disposal – Incineration, and placement in a sanitary landfill are needed for some materials.
Certain states within the US regulate packages for toxic contents, which have the potential to
contaminate emissions and ash from incineration and leachate from landfill. [20] Packages should
not be littered.

Development of sustainable packaging is an area of considerable interest by standards

organizations, government, consumers, packagers, and retailers