Packaging is the art, science and technology of protecting or enclosing goods for transfer, storage, distribution, use and disposal. The term packaging has various other aliases such as carton packaging, casein packaging, tub packaging, polystyrene packaging, etc. It can also be used to describe any of the techniques used in the manufacturing of packaging materials, including those in the food and cosmetic industries, electrical and electronic appliances, medical supplies, books, etc. Packaging is an important process with a direct impact on the market as it influences the price, availability, accessibility and level of service of a product. Packaging also describes the process of developing, testing, analyzing and manufacturing individual packages.

A carbon footprint is a quantifiable representation of a company’s total environmental impact over time. The term is often used together with the term “green manufacturing” to describe a company that makes efforts to reduce its overall carbon footprint. Carbon footprints vary significantly by type of product and sector. They are calculated by considering the effect of the packaging material on emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, methane, coal oil, etc., as well as on the exhaust from the packaging machinery. Developing a strong, sustainable and technologically effective package label that can provide a comprehensive assessment of a company’s carbon footprint is a key element for the success of a packaging company.

Every piece of packaging you receive will ultimately end up as a finished product, transported from point of origin to your destination, or stored in a warehouse. Packaging materials include cardboard, wood pulp, corrugated fiberboard, corrugated plastic, cloth, vinyl, padded or paperboard cartons, padded or paperboard packaging, PVC pellets, tarp, bubble wrap, non-woven fabrics, plastic wrapping, etc. All of these materials are part of the various methods of packaging goods that are used to protect and store goods. As well, packaging, as it relates to shipping, storage and transporting, involves both design and implementation processes.

There are two types of packaging that impact upon the ultimate success of your packaging efforts: packing and labelling. Packaging refers to how you prepare goods for transport, storage and packaging. All of the various components of packaging impact upon packaging. For example, the materials used in the packaging process will impact upon the effectiveness of the packing. In addition, the preparation of the packaging, which includes the creation of appropriate templates, packaging drawings, written documentation and request sheets, packaging material and packaging equipment all impact upon the effectiveness of the packaging. Likewise, storage and packaging will also impact upon the packaging.

If a company is serious about its ability to create a “good” package, it must address all of these aspects of packaging and ensure that the best packaging is developed based on an optimal design that minimizes all of the environmental and social impacts of packaging. Good packaging is defined as a package that provides an optimal storage and transportation solution. It is also defined as a package that has a reduced carbon footprint. At the most basic level, “good packaging” is a packaging system that maximizes efficiency, longevity and effectiveness. A carbon footprint reduction of 40% of the overall product volume is considered to be an optimal design.

For a product to have a “good packaging,” it must meet the needs of the customer, while at the same time, meeting all regulatory requirements. For instance, if the packaging is to be used for food products, it needs to comply with food and drug administration regulations. If the packaging is to carry medical or prescription drugs, it must also be appropriately regulated under those laws. Good packaging for a product also requires that the container has a label that can be read by consumers. This means that a highly efficient packaging system must provide easy access for a consumer to ensure that the proper labeling of the product is located.