Product Packaging and Labelling Reviewer: Historical Perspective

Packaging from a Historical Perspective

• Animal skins, hollowed-out fruit husks, and grasses were used to carry goods and provide storage in ancient times.
• Leaves and grass were used to wrap meat for preservation.
• Clay pots, dating back to 8000 BC, were used to store grains, salt, olives, oils, and other goods.
• The discovery of glassmaking increased the possibilities for storing and preserving liquids such as oils and perfumes.

Social Developments and the Industrial Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution began in England in the late 17th century, leading to a shift from home production to transportation of goods to cities.
• This change led to the development of new packaging methods and technologies.

Packaging Technical Development

• Manufacturing and packing processes impose significant stresses on packaging, limiting the scope to reduce resource usage.
• Understanding the interaction between packaging and filling machinery is essential for successful projects.
• Joint work with suppliers can reduce resource usage by identifying and moderating requirements and stresses.

Storage and Distribution Logistics

• Loss through damage in the European fast-moving consumer goods supply chain costs the industry €73.5bn each year.
• Up to 3% of food is lost through spoilage before it reaches the consumer, with losses reaching 25% for fruit and vegetables.
• Identifying points where damage occurs and taking steps to eliminate it can reduce losses.

Solutions to Prevent Shrinkage

• Critical packaging factors in preventing shrinkage include:
  • Placement and readability of bar codes
  • Robustness of inner and outer packaging
  • Marking and design of break packs
  • Clear identification of at-risk items
  • Packs that are difficult for thieves to hide
  • Tamper-evident packs
  • Packaging that is protectable by electronic article surveillance (EAS)
  • Barcode usage rules that minimize reading error

Supply Chain Processes

• Robust documentation systems for orders and deliveries
• Secure storage, dispatch, transit, delivery, receipt, and in-store storage
• Shelf replenishment and range change processes
• Procedures for damaged and returned merchandise

Badly Designed Packs

• Can cause damage to contents during transit
• Can lead to contamination through leakage
• Can experience product spoilage or damage
• Can contribute to product loss through misidentification
• Can lose their contents
• Can become unsightly and unsellable
• Can suffer decreased shelf life and reduced sales

Primary Drivers of Shrinkage

• Spoilage: products that have reached their expiry date or gone beyond agreed temperature parameters
• Damages: products that have been damaged during the journey to the shelf
• Data errors: errors in recording product details on company systems
• Pricing errors: losses caused by errors in pricing and selling goods
• Delivery errors: losses caused by incorrect quantities booked to the store inventory

Recycling

• Recycling is important for keeping the planet clean, saving resources, and reducing waste.
• Ways to recycle waste include:
  • Separating waste into recyclable and non-recyclable materials
  • Researching local recycling programs
  • Opting for products and packaging made from recycled materials
  • Using reusable bags, containers, and bottles
  • Composting organic waste
  • Donating or selling items in good condition
  • Repurposing items for storage or decoration
  • Participating in community clean-up events
  • Educating others on the importance of recycling and waste reduction

Environmentally Responsible Packaging

• An environmentally responsible pack minimizes the use of materials and energy, generating the least amount of waste.
• This type of packaging gets the product from production to consumption with minimal environmental impact.