Sustainable Packaging from Waste Material: A Review …
261
and Neal 2009; Ashok et al. 2016a). Additives, plasticizers and colorants in plastic
make serious environmental issues during disposal of the same (Andrady and Neal
2009; Thompson et al. 2009). Packaging plays a significant role in bringing products
to consumers in a safe and wholesome manner without compromising product quality
(Rhim and Ng 2007;Youssef et al. 2012). Interactions between packaging materials
and the packed product might contribute in changing the product quality. This paper
discusses the biodegradable packaging materials that are most suitable for single use
disposable discussing the composting issues. Establishment of appropriate collection,
recycling and composting facilities are considered crucial to the success widespread
applications of sustainable biodegradable packaging materials.
Most merchandise leave the production facility with three levels of packaging
i.e., Primary, Secondary, Tertiary. Primary packaging is the one which is directly
handled at the consumers end. Secondary packaging is the packaging where the
individual units are packed together for transportation, or for multipacks sold to the
end user. Secondary packaging is mainly used for physical protection of the product.
Secondary package provides easy handling during storage or distribution and safety
against mechanical damage. Tertiary packaging is used for pallets, trays, cartons.
This type of packaging mainly aims to protect the product from the physical and
mechanical damage due to transport and weather conditions (Brown 1992; Satheesh
Kumar and Yaakob 2011).
2 Sustainable Packaging and Materials Used
It is well known that packaging protects the material and economic investment in
products and contributes to socio economic development by facilitating the distribution and delivery of products to the consumer. However, once used, packaging
contributes to municipal solid waste that is managed at the community level. Effective management of this waste is a challenge in many regional communities and
especially in developing or underdeveloped economies. In order to obtain a sustainable materials management, it is essential to create a economically viable, closed
loop systems for the recovery of packaging materials. Such a sustainable and efficient strategy supports individuals and communities by offering gainful employment,
developing infrastructure for material recovery, conserving resources and reducing
environmental impacts. In addition, sustainable approaches such as corporate social
responsibility, accountability, and equitable wages are all part of creating a more
environmental friendly and safe system.
The use of sustainable packaging ensures the elimination of the contaminant
and chemicals that are harmful to the environment, which can be achieved through
biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Sustainable packaging also has a lower
packaging content, and alternative energy sources such as biofuels, wind, and solar
energy are used in the production and transport process. The materials such as
Biodegradable plastics, Plant-based plastics, Recycled products, Alternative energy
261
and Neal 2009; Ashok et al. 2016a). Additives, plasticizers and colorants in plastic
make serious environmental issues during disposal of the same (Andrady and Neal
2009; Thompson et al. 2009). Packaging plays a significant role in bringing products
to consumers in a safe and wholesome manner without compromising product quality
(Rhim and Ng 2007;Youssef et al. 2012). Interactions between packaging materials
and the packed product might contribute in changing the product quality. This paper
discusses the biodegradable packaging materials that are most suitable for single use
disposable discussing the composting issues. Establishment of appropriate collection,
recycling and composting facilities are considered crucial to the success widespread
applications of sustainable biodegradable packaging materials.
Most merchandise leave the production facility with three levels of packaging
i.e., Primary, Secondary, Tertiary. Primary packaging is the one which is directly
handled at the consumers end. Secondary packaging is the packaging where the
individual units are packed together for transportation, or for multipacks sold to the
end user. Secondary packaging is mainly used for physical protection of the product.
Secondary package provides easy handling during storage or distribution and safety
against mechanical damage. Tertiary packaging is used for pallets, trays, cartons.
This type of packaging mainly aims to protect the product from the physical and
mechanical damage due to transport and weather conditions (Brown 1992; Satheesh
Kumar and Yaakob 2011).
2 Sustainable Packaging and Materials Used
It is well known that packaging protects the material and economic investment in
products and contributes to socio economic development by facilitating the distribution and delivery of products to the consumer. However, once used, packaging
contributes to municipal solid waste that is managed at the community level. Effective management of this waste is a challenge in many regional communities and
especially in developing or underdeveloped economies. In order to obtain a sustainable materials management, it is essential to create a economically viable, closed
loop systems for the recovery of packaging materials. Such a sustainable and efficient strategy supports individuals and communities by offering gainful employment,
developing infrastructure for material recovery, conserving resources and reducing
environmental impacts. In addition, sustainable approaches such as corporate social
responsibility, accountability, and equitable wages are all part of creating a more
environmental friendly and safe system.
The use of sustainable packaging ensures the elimination of the contaminant
and chemicals that are harmful to the environment, which can be achieved through
biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Sustainable packaging also has a lower
packaging content, and alternative energy sources such as biofuels, wind, and solar
energy are used in the production and transport process. The materials such as
Biodegradable plastics, Plant-based plastics, Recycled products, Alternative energy