Packaging
Is
the packaging used for soft drinks recyclable?
All
packaging used by the soft drinks industry can be recycled and/or
re-used to make other useful products. For example:
- aluminium
cans are recycled and used with raw material to produce new batches
of cans;
- plastic bottles
can be used to make fleece textile products, fibre filling and
street furniture;
- glass bottles
can be reused or recycled to use in the production of new glass;
and
- paper and
board is recycled to produce tissue, paper bags, chip board, briefcases
and office furniture.
What do soft
drinks companies do to reduce the amount of materials they use to
contain their products?
The
soft drinks industry is at the forefront of packaging innovations
and is constantly looking at ways to reduce the amount of raw materials
used in various types of packaging. This process of "lightweighting"
means that not only are fewer materials being used, but savings
are also being made in terms of the energy required for the manufacture
and distribution of products. Today, the average can uses 35% less
aluminium than 10 years ago, with steel cans containing 50% less
steel and average PET plastic bottles containing 25% less PET.
What are
the most popular types of packaging used to make soft drinks?
The
main forms of packaging used by the soft drinks industry are:
- glass bottles
- plastic including
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), HDPE
(High density polyethylene), cups (made from polystyrene and polyethylene),
pouches (low density polyethylene)
- cans including
aluminium and steel
- paper such
as cartons
Drinks come
in many different types of packaging. Why are certain products packaged
in some forms and not others?
When
manufacturers are considering packaging for a soft drink they need
to consider the functions of packaging to ensure that the products
reach the consumer in the best possible condition. The functions
of packaging are to contain, protect, identify and sell the product
bearing in mind the impact upon the environment and the costs involved.
Certain
packaging is more suitable for certain types of product than others
when you consider the above criteria. A summary of the various attributes
and disadvantages of the main forms of packaging when looking at
their functions is detailed here in PDF
format.
What have
been the most important developments in terms of packaging for the
soft drinks industry?
There
have been many varied developments in terms of packaging ranging
from lightweighting of different packaging, to the introduction
of new materials. For example the glass bottle is the traditional
soft drinks container. Originally this was heavy and bottle shape
was limited. Improvements in glass bottle design resulted in the
introduction of the lightweight glass bottle.
Since
then the industry has enjoyed the introduction of PVC and PET bottles,
which enabled moulding of the bottles into various shapes, and the
advent of the aseptic filled paper carton. In addition to this there
has been the introduction of various closure systems to meet the
needs of customers for the different forms of packaging.
Useful
web links - General
Useful
web links - Cans
Useful
web links - Cartons
Useful
web links - Glass
Useful
web links - Plastic
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