- What counts as packaging material
- Paper and paperboard packaging
- Corrugated cardboard for shipping
- Glass jars and bottles
- Metal packaging: tinplate, steel and aluminium
- Plastic packaging: rigid and flexible
- Wood and other traditional materials
- Comparing packaging materials
- Packaging layers: what the material has to do
- Questions to ask before you pick a material
- Recycling and reuse: what to remember
- How to choose a packaging material
- Sharing what you know about packaging
- Frequently asked questions
The main types of packaging materials are paper and paperboard, corrugated cardboard, glass, metal (steel and aluminium), plastic and wood. GOV.UK defines packaging as any material used to contain, protect, handle, deliver or present goods. Each material suits different products, shipping needs and recycling routes.
Pick up any product and the first thing you touch is its packaging. It might be a cardboard box, a glass jar, a metal can or a plastic pouch. Each one is chosen for a reason, and the material shapes how the product looks, how it travels and what happens to it afterwards.
I've pulled together a plain-English overview of the main packaging materials, drawing on GOV.UK's definition of packaging and Wikipedia's articles on packaging, corrugated board, plastic packaging and glass recycling. It's a general guide, not technical advice for a particular product.
What counts as packaging material
GOV.UK defines packaging as any material used to contain, protect, handle, deliver or present goods supplied to an end user. It includes things such as pallets and display units. So packaging does more than hold a product. It protects it, moves it and helps sell it.
Paper and paperboard packaging
Paper and paperboard are among the most familiar packaging materials. Wikipedia notes that folding cartons date back to 1839 and that pre-cut paperboard boxes that ship flat were introduced in 1890. Paper-based packaging is also described as economical to recycle.
Corrugated cardboard for shipping
Corrugated fibreboard is made from a wavy, fluted sheet bonded to one or two flat liners. Single-wall has two liners, and double- and triple-wall versions add strength. Boxes are its most common use, and used boxes can be pulped to make new paper and fibre products. Wikipedia warns that wax coatings and sticky adhesive residues are harder to remove and can contaminate recycled paper.
Glass jars and bottles
Glass has been used for containers for a very long time. Wikipedia states that glass bottles and jars are infinitely recyclable because normal use doesn't degrade the material. Glass tends to keep its colour after recycling, so many collection points separate clear, brown and green glass. Heat-resistant glass needs to stay out of the recycling stream.
Metal packaging: tinplate, steel and aluminium
Tinplate has been used for packaging since the 18th century, and Peter Durand's 1810 patent helped develop the tin can for preserving food. Aluminium was added to packages in the 20th century, and Wikipedia describes recycling it after use as economical.
Plastic packaging: rigid and flexible
Wikipedia lists a wide range of plastic packaging, from bottles, tubs, clamshells and crates to bags, film and flexible containers. It also says packaging is the largest use of plastic resins, accounting for 36% of world plastic production by mass. Some containers such as bottles are recyclable.
Wood and other traditional materials
Wooden boxes and barrels were among the earliest forms of packaging, alongside reed baskets, woven bags and pottery. Wood remains common for pallets and crates.
Comparing packaging materials
| Material | Common uses | Recycling note from the sources |
|---|---|---|
| Paper and paperboard | Cartons, bags, wrapping | Described as economical to recycle |
| Corrugated board | Shipping boxes | Pulped to make new paper and fibre |
| Glass | Bottles and jars | Described as infinitely recyclable |
| Metal | Cans, tins, foil | Aluminium recycling described as economical |
| Plastic | Bottles, tubs, film, bags | Some containers, such as bottles, are recyclable |
| Wood | Pallets, crates, barrels | Check local guidance |
Packaging layers: what the material has to do
Different layers of packaging have different jobs. The pack the customer holds needs to protect the product and look right, the outer box needs to survive transport, and a pallet or crate needs to carry the load. GOV.UK's definition mentions pallets and display units, so even the things you don't see in a shop count as packaging.
Questions to ask before you pick a material
- How fragile is the product, and what could damage it on the way?
- Does it touch food or drink, and if so which materials suit that use?
- How heavy is the finished pack, and how will it be shipped?
- Can the customer recycle it where they live?
- Does the material show off the brand clearly on shelf or on screen?
- Is there a regulation you need to check for your product or sector?
For legal requirements, the GOV.UK pages on packaging waste are the place to start, since the rules can change and depend on the size and type of business.
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Recycling and reuse: what to remember
The sources agree on a few things. Paper-based packaging, aluminium and glass are described as recyclable, and glass can be remelted repeatedly. Mixed materials, coatings and residues can make recycling harder, as the corrugated board example shows with wax and adhesives. Where a pack combines several materials, say so clearly so customers know what to do with it.
How to choose a packaging material
The right material depends on what the product is, how it's sold and how far it travels. Think about protection, weight, appearance, food safety where relevant and what the customer will do with the packaging afterwards. Packaging also tells a story about your business, which links to my guide on what brand positioning means. If you're sorting out the layers of packaging, it's also worth reading about primary, secondary and tertiary packaging.
Sharing what you know about packaging
If you work in packaging, whether in design, production or supply, you'll know things that readers can't easily find elsewhere.
Packaging professionals can browse packaging blogs that accept contributor articles here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of packaging material?
The common ones are paper and paperboard, corrugated board, glass, metal such as steel and aluminium, plastic and wood.
What is packaging according to GOV.UK?
GOV.UK says packaging is any material used to contain, protect, handle, deliver or present goods supplied to an end user.
Is glass packaging recyclable?
Wikipedia says glass bottles and jars are infinitely recyclable, since normal use doesn't degrade glass.
What is corrugated cardboard?
It's a material made of a fluted, wavy sheet bonded to one or two flat liners, most often used for shipping boxes.
Is plastic the most common packaging material?
Wikipedia says packaging is the largest use of plastic resins, but that's about plastic production, not a ranking of all packaging materials.
