Plastic packaging materials have become almost indispensable to businesses today. Plastic packing materials come in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. Companies use them for packaging food and non-food items because plastic packaging materials provide a secure and airtight storing option.

The various types of plastic packaging lead to many uses. Restaurants, toy stores, grocery stores, and pet stores all use plastic packing material. When considering the type of plastic packaging that is right for your company, think about the following:

1. Plastic packaging material is useful for food and non-food items.

2. Plastic packaging material protects items.

3. Manufacturers make a variety of plastic packing materials.

Action Steps
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Keep food fresh by using plastic packaging materials

Foods stay fresher when their container does not expose them to air. Plastic packaging materials are great because they are able to be closed. Plastic packaging boxes have locking lids, while plastic packing bags have zipper closures. Plastic bags with stronger stay-fresh enhancements are available. If you own a meat packaging company or a restaurant, you will save money by storing your items in plastic packing. Vegetables, fruits, and meat will stay fresher longer with packaging in plastic. Freeze items in vacuum-sealed plastic packing bags. Tightly close plastic packing materials for maximum freshness. Store flour, sugar, cereals, bread, and other non-refrigerated items in plastic packing items to protect them from pests and getting stale.

I recommend: Learn about reusing plastic food containers from Life. Discover how safe new environmentally friendly plastic containers are for your health from The Green Guide.

Use plastic packaging materials to store nonfood items

Many businesses purchase items in bulk to save money. These items must go into storage when not in use. Stacked cardboard boxes often bend, crush, and mash products. Use plastic packaging boxes for more secure storage. Plastic does not easily give in to weight pressure. You'll find plastic boxes are also good for storing small items to sell in the store. Use clear plastic tubs to hold small toys, trinkets, and candies.

I recommend: Read a review of plastic containers at Cool Tools. Gain information about plastic from Life Without Plastic.

Consider plastic bag materials for selling live aquatic animals

Pet stores and fish hatcheries greatly benefit from plastic bags. One must sell live fish and other aquatic animals in water, and clear plastic bags allow customers to keep an eye on their items while keeping them in water. Plastic bags are the cheapest option for selling items in water. Use a zippered bag or a bag with a tie. Also, use these bags when selling aquatic plants for aquariums or garden ponds. Wrap the bag around the roots of the plant.

I recommend: Read about the downside of plastic bags from Salon. Learn more about using plastic bags and the environment from National Geographic.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep in mind that plastic will melt. Be sure new restaurant employees know not to use plastic packaging containers in the oven. Keep the containers away from extreme heat.

As a distributor of goods, efficient shipping and handling that delivers the product safely to the customer is vital. The types of plastic packaging used in shipping directly affects the integrity of the product. Plastic packing material is also vital to showcase your product and attract customers to purchase.

With various options in plastic packaging material from which to choose, knowing the specific type of plastic packaging you need and what kinds fit into your budget are critical to cost-effective shipping and handling and product advertisement. Plastic packaging materials should:

1. Protect and showcase the product well

2. Be cost-effective

3. Be made of environmentally-friendly materials

Action Steps
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Choose plastic packaging that fits your product

Plastic packing material needs to fit your product securely to offer protection during shipping and handling procedures.

I recommend: Use bubble wrap from ULINE to create a barrier to cushion your product during shipping. A versatile product that can be used to protect various sized products, ULINE offers bubble wrap in different quantities and weights that are geared to protect specific sized products. A cost-effective choice, bubble wrap can also be reused by the client. If you need plastic tubes for your specialized products, VisiPak offers a nice variety of plastic packaging tubes at competitive prices.

Customize your plastic packing material

Customize plastic tubes and plastic bag material to showcase your logo and create brand recognition.

I recommend: Hire the professionals at Key Packaging Co. to design plastic packaging materials that highlight your brand and properly display your product. Key Packaging can customize the blister and clam shell types of plastic packaging to meet your specifications.

Use plastic packaging that is friendly to the environment

Being environmentally conscious in business is easier than ever with the eco-friendly types of plastic bag materials available for use.

I recommend: Adart Poly Bag, manufacturers of plastic bag materials since 1967, offer biodegradable plastic packaging at cost-effective prices. This brand of bag completely breaks down in landfills. EcoEndure offers plastic packaging in biodegradable polypropylene and plastic films that are made from corn. Ask for a sample of one of their packaging films.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Set up a recycling area at your business where customers can drop off plastic bag materials. You can often reuse the plastic bag material or recycle it to help the environment.

Plastic packaging materials come in various size and styles. Plastic packaging bags, boxes, and wrap are some of the varieties available for businesses to use. Reasons for using specific types of plastic packaging will differ. Some plastic packaging allows buyers to use it with food. Other plastic packaging materials work better for storing nonfood items.

Many different businesses benefit from plastic packaging materials. Some companies use plastic packing for their own products while others receive items in plastic packing. Some prefer plastic packaging materials to paper packaging materials because the plastic holds its shape better and is sturdier. Think about the following plastic packaging materials basics when considering supplies for your own business:

1. You can select from a variety of plastic packing materials.

2. Plastic packaging materials function for food and nonfood storage.

3. One can often reuse plastic packaging materials.

Action Steps
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Consider plastic packaging wrap

Plastic packing is available in a thin, transparent, and clingy wrap. Meat departments often use this wrap to cover meat for sale; the wrap seals air from the meat and adds to its length of freshness. The transparent wrap also enables the customer to view the meat. Bakeries use plastic wrap for the same purpose with homemade goods such as muffins and cookies. The clinging aspect of plastic wrap allows the wrap to stick together and secure the item without ties or tape.

I recommend: Get a report on plastic packing materials from Science Direct. Read about the new corn-based plastic from Smithsonian Magazine.

Try sturdy plastic packing boxes

Boxes of plastic material for packaging hold their shape much better than paper material ones. Plastic packaging boxes typically have a lid that locks or securely fits onto the box. Sometimes businesses use these boxes for shipping purposes, but they more commonly use them as storage packaging materials. Plastic storage boxes are often clear. However, they are available in several different colors, styles, and sizes. Warehouses may use plastic packaging boxes for storing products and paper goods.

I recommend: BNet offers an article that discusses the battle between paper and plastic. Read the misconceptions of plastic from Ecology Center.

Use plastic bag materials

Plastic packaging bags come in a variety of styles. The most common plastic packaging bags are clear, and many use these bags for storing small items. Some plastic packaging bags allow users to vacuum seal the items inside and are good for airtight freezing of food items. Other plastic packing bags have bright colors and companies imprint their logos on them; stores give these bags to customers to carry items that they purchase.

I recommend: Learn the facts about plastics in the oven from USDA. Learn about plastic laws in California from CIWMB.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that thickness counts when it comes to the type of plastic packaging you require. Some plastic packing material, such as bags and wrap, are thin and may be unsuitable for your needs. Ask about the thickness of the plastic packaging material before ordering.

Many companies use plastic materials for packaging their products because plastics are durable and inexpensive. Plastic packaging materials are available in a variety of styles and shapes to fit all types of consumer products. When searching for plastic packaging materials for your company, you may come across words and phrases that you are not familiar with. Understanding these key terms will allow you to choose the materials for your packaging that will be perfect for your products.

Action Steps
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Blister pack

A blister pack is packaging for a product that molds plastic around the product and is then backed with cardboard or other materials. A blister pack is heat sealed onto the backing and it generally covers the entire product. Some blister packs leave the cardboard or backing unsealed at one corner for easier access to the product.

I recommend: The Answers website has information about blister packs.

Clam shell

Clam shell packaging contains two plastic pieces that are connected together at a hinge to allow the customer to open the package. Clam shells can be formed to fit a product or purchased in stock sizes.

I recommend: FormTex Plastics supplies detailed information about clam shell packaging.

Die cut

Die cut plastic packaging is cut with hot metal dies. This type of packaging is normally made of flat plastic sheets. The dies are used for cutting plastic bags, blister and clam shell packaging.

I recommend: Visit wiseGeek for more information about die cutting.

Cello

Cello, or cellophane, is thin plastic used to make bags and packages. Cellophane is durable and flexible. It is airtight and commonly used to wrap food products. Cello bags are lightweight and are easily heat sealed.

I recommend: Pak-Sel provides more information about cellophane. TextileGlossary.com also has information concerning cello.

High density poly

High density poly, HDPE or high density polyurethane, is a strong, durable poly substance made from petroleum. HDPE is not as transparent as other plastic packaging but it is resistant to hot temperatures.

I recommend: Society of Robots provides details about high density poly. Learn more about the properties of HDPE at Hudson Poly Bag.

Gusset

A gusset is a triangular-shaped fold that extends the width of a bag or material. Gussets are often used in plastic packaging to increase the diameter of the bag.

I recommend: SorbentSystems.com has examples and information about gussets.