Thermoforming packaging is a relatively new style of clear product wrapping where one or more items are packed together in a uniform fashion and presented on store shelves. There are generally two kinds - clamshells and blister packs. Clamshells wrap around the product fully producing a monolithic object with transparent walls and a need for tools to open. Blister packs would normally incorporate a paper backing which makes them a bit easier to open when needed yet less secure from store's point of view.
Thermoforming plastic enclosures have a number of universal advantages such as good product preservation and display. Merchandise is well protected yet rather easily visible in enough detail to satisfy even pickier customers. From grocery and department stores' perspective, thermoforms are an excellent choice since they bulk up the items even more making them impossible to fit in a pocket and thus they minimize shoplifting attempts.
Manufacturers are often in an interesting situation - customer would pound them with complains about the product packaging and over-packaging in general by green packaging enthusiasts. Manufacturers would even come out with official product packaging policies and try to catch latest consumer and environmental trends and act in accordance. Generally they disfavor PVC as a building block for clamshell packaging and look for other options when possible and economically viable.
Retailers and department stores are truly having a good time out of this predicament for end customers and manufacturers. Stores are concerned with packaging price, mitigation of theft, product safety, good looks and recycling in order to meet some local or state-wide regulations. They often set clamshell-style packaging as a requirement and there have been cases where retailers will not accept certain items on their shelves unless they meet that requirement.
Local municipal and federal governments are less enthusiastic about thermoforms. Their lack of eagerness stems from the fact that in many cases clamshells are made from PVC plastic (polyvinylchloride). PVC has some applications in construction and industry but it can cause issues if it becomes popular among household waste items. PVC creates a problem for curbside collection waste management, renders recycled material worse since it mixes with PET and can release toxic gasses when incinerated.
Use of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a good solution since it is the most popular type of plastic. It also enjoys a wide range of built and working recycling facilities and curbside collection. PET is widely used in the beverage and food service sectors. Problem with PET is that it is considerably more expensive than PVC and could drive the price of the full packaging to unacceptable levels.
An additional issue here is presented by the nature of thermoforming packaging themselves. When placed together with the commingled trash, they are not easy to identify. Unlike plastic bottles or other tub-style household containers, clamshels come in a variety of shapes, color, thickness, weight and other properties. This makes it difficult for efficient collection and requires a good amount of expensive manual labor.
A proper response to such environmental packaging challenges would be available soon. The proliferation of clamshells and their extreme embrace by retailers guarantee that the thermoforming and blister packaging are here to stay. As their massive adoption is becoming apparent, local municipalities will figure out a plan to handle their proper collection, processing and disposal or recycling and reuse as needed and aligned with local green and sustainable development policies.
Thermoforming plastic enclosures have a number of universal advantages such as good product preservation and display. Merchandise is well protected yet rather easily visible in enough detail to satisfy even pickier customers. From grocery and department stores' perspective, thermoforms are an excellent choice since they bulk up the items even more making them impossible to fit in a pocket and thus they minimize shoplifting attempts.
Manufacturers are often in an interesting situation - customer would pound them with complains about the product packaging and over-packaging in general by green packaging enthusiasts. Manufacturers would even come out with official product packaging policies and try to catch latest consumer and environmental trends and act in accordance. Generally they disfavor PVC as a building block for clamshell packaging and look for other options when possible and economically viable.
Retailers and department stores are truly having a good time out of this predicament for end customers and manufacturers. Stores are concerned with packaging price, mitigation of theft, product safety, good looks and recycling in order to meet some local or state-wide regulations. They often set clamshell-style packaging as a requirement and there have been cases where retailers will not accept certain items on their shelves unless they meet that requirement.
Local municipal and federal governments are less enthusiastic about thermoforms. Their lack of eagerness stems from the fact that in many cases clamshells are made from PVC plastic (polyvinylchloride). PVC has some applications in construction and industry but it can cause issues if it becomes popular among household waste items. PVC creates a problem for curbside collection waste management, renders recycled material worse since it mixes with PET and can release toxic gasses when incinerated.
Use of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a good solution since it is the most popular type of plastic. It also enjoys a wide range of built and working recycling facilities and curbside collection. PET is widely used in the beverage and food service sectors. Problem with PET is that it is considerably more expensive than PVC and could drive the price of the full packaging to unacceptable levels.
An additional issue here is presented by the nature of thermoforming packaging themselves. When placed together with the commingled trash, they are not easy to identify. Unlike plastic bottles or other tub-style household containers, clamshels come in a variety of shapes, color, thickness, weight and other properties. This makes it difficult for efficient collection and requires a good amount of expensive manual labor.
A proper response to such environmental packaging challenges would be available soon. The proliferation of clamshells and their extreme embrace by retailers guarantee that the thermoforming and blister packaging are here to stay. As their massive adoption is becoming apparent, local municipalities will figure out a plan to handle their proper collection, processing and disposal or recycling and reuse as needed and aligned with local green and sustainable development policies.
About the Author:
Naria McGregor's latest interest include clamshell thermoforming packaging, blister packaging, large and small cardboard and shipping boxes. Visit her blogs for more: packaging central and large shipping boxes.
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