Plastics are commonly used in packaging due to their lightweight, durable, and cost-effective properties. The document discusses the packaging industry and the six main types of plastics used - PET, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PP, and PS. It focuses on polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride, describing their physical properties and common applications. The document compares plastics to alternative materials like glass and aluminum, noting plastics are lighter and cheaper. It also discusses recycling and reusing plastics to reduce environmental impacts.

1. Plastics in Packaging
Scott H. Boyle
Brian D’Amico
Janine Horn
Mark Przybylski

2. What Will be Discussed
 Definition of a plastic.
 Overview of the packaging industry.
 Why plastics are used in packaging.
 A detailed look at the different types of
plastics used in packaging.
 How plastics compare to alternative
materials.
 Environmental Impacts

3. What is a Plastic?
 A plastic is defined as an organic material that has
the ability to flow into a desired shape when heat
and pressure are applied and to retain that shape
when they are withdrawn.
 Composed primarily of a binder with-
• Plasticizers
• Fillers
• Pigments
• Other additives

4. Industry Overview
 World sales of primary packaging materials
estimated to be $434 billion in 2001.
• Up 12.5% from $385 billion in 1997.
 World sales of finished packaging materials is
estimated to be $800 billion.
 Four main categories of raw packaging materials:
• Paper and Board
• Glass
• Metal
• Plastic
 Over the past few years, plastic has become
increasingly popular.

5. Why Plastics?
 A wide variety of different qualities-
– Rigid vs. Flexible
– Clear vs. Opaque
 Lightweight
 Strong
 Cost

6. Which Plastics are Used?
 Six resins account for almost 97 percent of
all plastic used in packaging.
 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – 9%
 High-density polyethylene (HDPE) – 29%
 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) – 32%
 Poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) – 5%
 Poly-propylene (PP) – 11%
 Polystyrene (PS) – 11%

7. Polypropylene
 Physical Properties
– Durable
 High elongation
– 300%
 High Tensile Strength
– 4500 psi
 High Yield Strength
– 4000 psi
– High Melting point
– Low Density
 Lowest density of all plastics used in packaging

8. Why Polypropylene?
 Practicality
– Inexpensive
– Chemically resistant
– Ideal for holding hot liquids
– Stretchy vs. rigid
 Many everyday uses
– Ketchup bottles
– Peanut butter jars

9. Polyvinyl Chloride
 Need Title
 Chemically non-reactive
 Flexible vs. Rigid
 Self Extinguishing
 Plasticized vs. Unplasticized
– Plasticized is more flexible

10. Why PVC
 Versatile
– Can be machined with standard metal working tools
 Self Extinguishing
– Used to house electrical wiring
 Many forms
– Sheet
– Tubing
– Piping

11. Polyvinylidene Dichloride
 Discovered in 1933
– Accidental Discovery
– Original use was to stop corrosion on airplanes
– After a green color and a pungent smell had
been removed it was used for food storage.
 Most common form of PVDC is Saran
Wrap®

12. Why PVDC
 PVDC is a very effective food preservation
method.
– Co-polymerization used in synthesis creates a
very tight molecular chain
 Provides good barrier against air and moisture.
 Chemically non-reactive
– Ensures that food won’t taste like plastic

13. Plastic vs. The Alternatives
Stress Strengths
100
550
30
1000
50
100
19 25
0
200
400
600
800
1000
St ress St rengt h
( M Pa)
Aluminum
Alloy
Glass Wood
(Oak)
Plastic
(PE)
M at erial
Stress Strengths of Packaging Materials
Minimum
Maximum

14. Plastic vs. The Alternatives
 Incredibly lightweight
 2 lbs of plastic can deliver 1000 oz. of liquid. To
carry the same amount it would take:
• 3 lbs of aluminum
• 8 lbs of steel
• 27 lbs of glass
 Compared to glass, plastic drink bottles allow a
distribution truck to carry up to 63% more drink and
83% less packaging.
 Compared to paper, 7 trucks are needed to deliver
the same quantity of paper bags contained in one
truckload of plastic bags.

15. Plastic vs. The Alternatives
 Cost
 As of mid-2000, PET was selling for app. $.62/lb.
 Around the same time, aluminum alloy was selling
for app. $1.28/lb.
– Plastic reduces distribution costs-
• Decrease in necessary truckloads
• Fuel savings
– Reduces lost inventory costs.

16. Plastic vs. The Alternatives
 Environment Impact
 Plastics are recycled less frequently than glass and
aluminum.
 Plastics are not biodegradable.

17. Plastic vs. The Alternatives
 Environmental Impact
 Plastic also has a positive impact on the
environment. Consider the following fact:
– When comparing the manufacturing processes of
polystyrene and paper cups, it was found the the paper
cups use:
• 15 times more chemicals.
• More than 6 times more steam.
• 13 times more electricity.
• 30% more cooling water.
• 170 times more process water.
 The lightweight nature of plastics results in fewer
truckloads and less fuel usage.

18. Recycle (cont.)
 Recycling process
– Collection
– Sorting
– Reclamation

19. Recycle (cont.)
 Benefits
– Less landfill waste
– Environmentally friendly

20. Recycle
 Statistics
– >80% of all US households have access to plastic
collection and recycling programs
– In 1998 plastic bottle packaging amassed 1.45 billion
pounds by volume
 Commonly recycled plastics
– Plastic Grocery Bags
– Plastic Milk Jugs and Detergent Bottles
– Plastic Beverage Containers

21. Reuse (cont.)
 Good Examples
– Large reusable containers
 Small packages of concentrated product are bought
and diluted to large container
 Reduces product packaging cost, landfill space
– Reusable Plastic Shipping Containers (RPSC’s)
 Replaces single use containers
 Reduces shipping/receiving costs, landfill space

22. Reusing and Recycling Plastic
Packaging
 Reuse
– Statistics
– Commonly reused plastic packaging
– Benefits
– Good Examples
 Recycle
– Statistics
– Commonly recycled plastic packaging
– Recycling Process
– Benefits

23. Reuse
 Statistic
– A 1997 survey found 80% of Americans reuse
plastic products and packaging
 Common Reusable Packaging
– Plastic Grocery Bags
– Plastic Milk Jugs and Detergent Bottles
– Plastic Beverage Containers

24. Reuse (cont.)
 Benefits
– Good Properties
 Long lasting
 Durable
 Chemically inert
– Delays filling of landfills
– Lowers cost of garbage disposal

25. In Summary
 Plastics
– Lighter …..…………………………….
– Cheaper …………...
– More Durable ………………………

26. Questions???