News
Packaging industry gets on soap box to support lightweighting
Packaging News readers have used this week's Soap Box forum to support lightweighting but called for greater balance to the packaging design debate.
Julian Cabell welcomed packaging that "used less material but retained product quality and functionality without significant additional processing costs", but said that lightweighting was "only one of a number of key elements" to consider.
"There is a risk our current emphasis on weight saving, something that we should accept is often used as a driver for cost reduction rather than for other benefits, distracts us from other issues we face," he said.
"In order that we reach a balanced judgement about future packaging we should consider balancing elements such as weight, cost, recyclability and performance and not just the headline weight reduction and cost to achieve the best solution."
Packaging News columnist Des King echoed the view that "lightweighting must always be worthwhile from an environmental perspective, but can have some unanticipated repercusions within the supply chain".
Neil Fowell highlighted the need to be responsible in sourcing materials but ensure as well as ensure functionality of packaging, but said there was room for a lot more work on lightweighting.
"If we do not push the boundaries to their limits then we will not evoke new technologies and advancement."
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Comments
Ray Bruen - 03 October 2008
Prolonging the shelf life of products is equally as important in the environmental debate as waste food generates methane when put into land fill.
If we look to protecting and light weighting, this will keep a balanced view in the debate.
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