CPS | Blog

Ode to Lawrence and PANTONE

2009-11-10T15:00:00.005-07:00

You've heard, the phrase "all the colors of the rainbow" before. If asked to name those colors, you'd probably say: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Well that's true, if you're coloring one with a Crayola 8 pack. But as you know, there are SO many more colors in the rainbow ... thousands more.

Color is an integral part of packaging. Color influences us in many conscious and subconscious ways, and picking the right color for your packaging is key to its success. Everyone perceives color differently. Not only are the mechanics of everyone's eyes different, but so are their color naming skills. For instance, women typically have a larger color vocabulary than men. Not always, but generally. I'm sure you've had a conversation like this before.

HER: So what do you think of this dress?
HIM: It's nice.
HER: I love this color. I think it looks great with my eyes.
HIM: Yeah, that's a nice green dress.
HER: Green? This? No, no, honey. This is chartreuse.

HIM isn't stupid, HIM's not unrefined, HIM just calls that color green and she calls it chartreuse. We all have a different type of green come to mind when we say: chartreuse, kelley, forest, lime, spring, and so on.

In the packaging and design world I have conversations like this all the time:

CLIENT: So I wanted it to be orange.
DESIGNER: What kind of orange? Like the fruit ... or more like a tangerine?
CLIENT: I don't know ... what color is a tangerine?
DESIGNER: Well ... uh, it's orange with a little more yellow in it.
CLIENT: Huh.
DESIGNER: Right. Ok, is there a sports team that uses the orange you like?
CLIENT: Oh yeah! I really like BSU's orange. Let's do that.

This is why DESIGNER loves Lawrence. In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, developed the PANTONE color system, "an innovative system for identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community" (see pantone.com). Thanks to Lawrence, CLIENT can just tell DESIGNER, "Make it PANTONE 1645." End of story. Both are happy. Both know exactly what that orange looks like.

Lawrence wasn't only smart ... he was brilliant! He made it possible for us to have these kinds of concise conversations at the nominal fee of $120. Pictured left is an example of a PANTONE color book. Yeah, they're expensive, but if you work a lot with color, it's a great resource to have.

There are several different kinds of books, targeted toward different industries. The one we use most frequently is the PANTONE Matching System or PMS. An unfortunate acronym, true, but that's what it stands for. You'll often hear professionals ask, "What's the PMS code?" They really want to know what PANTONE color you want.

The PANTONE color system is pretty sweet, and the more it's used the faster and more accurately we can communicate. I'm not suggesting that we go around saying, "Howdy neighbor, your lawn is so 581, who do you use to treat it?" or, "Your eyes are so 283." No, that would take all the fun out of these dysfunctional color conversations we love.

Are you a sustainable organization?

2009-10-26T08:00:00.004-06:00

The sustainability efforts of communities, governments, and companies are rising. A large retailer has developed a Sustainability Index. Its goals are to create a more transparent supply chain, drive product innovation and provide customers with information they need to assess products’ sustainability.

This retailer accomplishes these goals by collaborating with their entire supply chain. In order to be a supplier to this retailer, a supplier must comply their Supplier Sustainability Assessment. Here's an abbreviated version of the survey:

Have you set greenhouse gas reduction targets?
Have you set solid waste reduction targets?
Have you set water use reduction targets?
Have you established sustainability purchasing guidelines for your direct suppliers that address issues such as environmental compliance, employment practices, and product/ingredient safety?
Have you obtained 3rd party certifications for any of the products that you sell?
Do you know the location of 100% of the facilities that produce your products?
Before beginning a business relationship with a manufacturing facility, do you evaluate their quality of production and capacity for production?
Do you have a process for managing social compliance at the manufacturing level?
Do you work with your supply base to resolve issues found during social compliance evaluations and also document specific corrections and improvements?
Do you invest in community development activities in the markets you source from and/or operate within?

These are ways to make your entire operation more sustainable. Learn more about how to make your packaging more sustainable by reading this previous post.

Mythbusters: Busting Myths about Plastics

2008-02-04T12:23:00.012-07:00

Several myths about plastics have emerged over the last decade that may alarm the public without just cause and potentially harm consumer-friendly companies producing needed products. Urban myths spring from any number of sources, including: (1) Environmental activists and non-government organizations promoting a specific agenda, (2) Journalists failing to do basic research, (3) Businesses with an alternative product or, (4) Retailers too quick to give in to the outcries of alarmist special interest groups. Follow the links below to get the facts about the safe use of plastic products directly from the experts in government, academia and industry.

Myth 1: Using plastic food containers or wraps in microwaves is dangerous.
Busted: Before entering the market for consumer use, the components of products that come in contact with food must be submitted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Plastics and additives, such as diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA, a plasticizer commonly used in cling film food wrap) are permitted only after the FDA reviews the scientific data and finds that they are safe for their intended use.

FDA's review includes an assessment of the potential for substances to migrate into the food. Contrary to one aspect of the myth, the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) do not classify DEHA as a human carcinogen.

According to the FDA, "While it is true that chemicals used to make plastics can leach into food from plastic containers and films, all of the regulated chemicals used to make plastics for food contact, including DEHA, have been reviewed by FDA and have been found safe for their intended use."

Dioxins are another class of potentially harmful compounds that has been incorrectly linked to the use of plastic food wraps and containers in microwaves. Most plastics used for food packaging do not contain the chemicals that can produce dioxins. According to the FDA, "With regard to dioxins, we have seen no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and know of no reason why they would." Furthermore, dioxins are only produced during combustion at extremely high temperatures (generally 700 degrees Fahrenheit or more).

The key point to remember is that plastic wraps and containers are not dangerous to use in the microwave if they are used in accordance with the directions on their packaging or the container itself. The public should be sure to use any plastics for their intended purpose and in accordance with directions. Many plastic wraps, packages and containers are specially designed to withstand microwave temperatures. Be sure yours is one of them by checking the item or its label.

The FDA does acknowledge that substances in plastics can leach into food when the plastic containers are used incorrectly. However, the FDA does not consider this to be a significant risk to humans. The FDA maintains that: "The agency has assessed migration levels of substances added to regulated plastics and has found the levels to be well within the margin of safety based on information available to the agency.

Myth 2: Freezing water in plastic bottles releases dioxins into the water.
Busted: The belief that plastic water bottles, if frozen, will release dioxins into the water they are holding is simply not true. Most plastics used for beverage bottles do not contain the chemicals that can produce dioxins. According to the FDA, "With regard to dioxins, we have seen no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and know of no reason why they would."

Dr. Rolf Halden, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health, speaks to the recent email warnings that claim dioxins can be released by freezing water in plastic bottles. " This is an urban legend," notes Dr. Halden. "There are no dioxins in plastics. In addition, freezing actually works against the release of chemicals. Chemicals do not diffuse as readily in cold temperatures, which would limit chemical release..."

Most plastics used in beverage bottles do not contain the chemical constituents that form dioxins. Furthermore, dioxins are only produced during combustion at extremely high temperatures (generally 700 degrees Fahrenheit or more) and do not form at room temperature or freezing temperature.

Myth 3: The number on the bottom of plastic cups, bottles and containers informs consumers about how to use a product or package.
Busted: This is false and potentially harmful misinformation. Many plastic items are marked with a resin identification code, usually a number or letter abbreviation, which indicates a specific kind of plastic material. The codes were originally developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) to provide consumers and recyclers with a consistent, national system identifying resin types that can enter specific recycling streams for recycling plastics through the normal channels of collecting recyclable materials from households. The code is generally on the bottom of containers and is usually displayed inside a three-arrow recycling symbol. The resin identification codes do not provide guidance on the safe or intended use of a product and should not be used for this purpose.

Myth 4: Plastic food wraps and packages are made with phthalates
Busted: This claim is false. Plastic food packaging or containers made in the United States do not contain "phthalates," which are a class of additives used only in those plastic products made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) in order to make the material flexible. Vinyl shower curtains, cable and wire, and flooring are examples of flexible PVC products that can contain phthalates. Most plastic food packaging and storage items are made with other types of plastics and do not require agents to increase flexibility, such as phthalates. Although certain plastic food wraps are made with PVC, a different kind of agent to increase flexibility (adipates or citrates) is used instead of phthalates.

Myth 5: Six-pack rings (beverage binders) are a hazard to wildlife
Busted: In 2006, the Warner Bros. animated movie Happy Feet featured a penguin character that becomes entangled by a six-pack ring, as his neck grows larger over the passage of time. The widely distributed movie caused a stir in the environmental and animal rights communities. However, the makers of the film did not do their homework. Under federal law, since 1989, six-pack rings have been required to be 100 percent photodegradable. Laws have also been passed in 26 states that also require that these devices be photodegradable. In other words, the inventor and sole global producer of this product manufactures it with a proprietary and proven resin that disintegrates in sunlight, beginning in just a few days. While the penguin in the film wore the ring over a long period of time, in reality, creatures overwhelmingly escape from brittle and crumbling rings. The Chicago-Sun Times reports that representatives from both the Sierra Club and Oceana state that six-pack rings are "not a major issue for them," and that the U.S. Department of Energy states on its Web site that "if an animal were to become entangled in [a] six-ring carrier, it could rip through the weakened pack to free itself."

Perhaps the most important point here is that concerns about beverage binders and wildlife could be eliminated if humans would dispose of the rings properly. The Ring Leader Recycling Program is an educational experience for students about the proper disposal of six-pack rings. It is designed for implementation in both formal and informal educational environments to allow students to learn about and participate in an effective school recycling program.

Source
The Society of the Plastics Industry
www.plasticsindustry.org/industry/mythbusters.htm
Â© Copyright 2007 The Society of the Plastics Industry

What plastic type is best for my product?

2009-09-29T07:24:00.004-06:00

We get this question all the time: what should I put my product in? A client has a product with a special list of ingredients that may or may not require a specific plastic type, and they just need to know from us, the plastic experts, the definitive answer to this question. The answer is ... we're not sure!

Oh, that's really helpful.

Keep reading though because I'll tell you why this question is so hard to answer. And I'll tie it all up with some ideas on how we can all work together on identifying some plastic types that will work well with your product.

Why we're not sure.
Essential oils are an excellent example of why we're not sure. In my article on essential oils, you'll read that essential oils in their pure form should not be stored in plastic. In fact, glass is really the only suitable package for pure essential oils. However, if those same essential oils are used as an ingredient in a lotion or cream, for instance, we've found that PET is a perfect plastic type for these kinds of products.

How we CAN help.
Over the years we've had a lot of experience with different kinds of products. We work with our customers continually on making suggestions and recommendations, but NEVER guarantees (click through for why). I know that's not really comforting. But like the essential oils example, we don't know how much you've diluted your oil, acid, solvent, adhesive, glue, etc, and therefore can't guess how it will react. What we can do is the following:

Recommend what plastic types other customers in your industry have used
Suggest a particular family of containers to test
Urge you to test your product with our container and/or closure
Provide you with a free sample (we offer a free sample of most of our items) to test

How you can help yourself.
Here are some additional ideas on how you can identify what plastic type will work best with your product:

Call us at 1-800-473-4144 and ask if we have any suggestions or ideas.
Research the different plastic types and get a general idea on which types to test.
Go to the grocery store or competitor and look at what they're using to package their product.
Get a sample from us and test it.
Research all applicable regulatory agencies on packaging in your industry.

What do I look for when I test my product?
When testing your product in our container or closure, here are the kinds of things that you want to look for:

Does the container and lid combination create a leak-proof seal? Does my product leak when turned upside down? Does it leak when I shake it?
Does my filled and sealed container panel over time? Does the shape of the container begin to distort over time? Fill your container and watch it over days, weeks, and months.
Does my product weaken the structure of the plastic? Does the container start to feel flimsy or weak?
Does my product taste or smell funny prior to expiration date? Do I need a fluorinated container?

You've spent a long time getting your product developed. We know. Finding the right package and getting it decorated and getting it ready for market could take you just as long. Don't get discouraged. Just remember it's all part of the process.

So, what IS the best plastic type for your product? The best answer: try it and see.

Fluorination: Your bottle can take the pressure

2009-09-22T12:40:00.003-06:00

Paneling. If you don't gasp when you hear this word, you will when you know what it means. According to Terminology 101 at CPS University, paneling is the:

distortion of a plastic container that occurs during aging or storage, caused by the development of a reduced pressure inside the container.

In short, paneling is the slow, inexorable and impending implosion of your bottle. Here's a picture of two containers with the same product. The one on the right is paneling. Looks painful. (I assure you the bottle feels no pain, YOU, however, will feel the pain when your customers refuse to buy your emaciated-looking package).

So how do you stop paneling from happening? You fluorinate it! Let's return to Terminology 101 at CPS University to get a definition of fluorination.

Fluorination is a treatment for plastic containers that prevents container paneling and distortion and reduces odor emission and chemical permeation. Also reduces flavor or fragrance loss.

NOT ALL PRODUCTS NEED A FLUORINATED CONTAINER. Some products that use fluorinated bottles include: acetone, auto additives, lighter fluids, degreasers, some health and beauty care products, insecticides, kerosene, lubricants, paint thinners, plant food products, waxes, cleaners, polishes, weed killers, herbicides, wood preservatives.

Call us at 1-800-473-4144 if you have found that your containers are paneling. We can help you identify if you need fluorination.

Don't forget the barcode (and everything else)

2009-08-11T12:10:00.001-06:00

There are a lot of guidelines, regulations, and even laws that stipulate what you should and shouldn't put on your product label. Let's go through some of the elements of a complete label and what should be included.

Please note, there are different regulations for different kinds of products. You will want to do your research for your particular product and product category to make sure that your product label complies with regulations. The regulations for cosmetic products, for example, are different than for beverages.

Let's take a look at the elements included on a typical cosmetic product label (click here or image to enlarge).

Logo. Your product should have it's own logo. A container typically contains a product that is one of many offered by a company. Think of Suave® shampoo. It has it's own logo. Suave® is one of the brands owned by Unilever®. You have to look hard to find Unilever® on the Suave® bottle. Think of your products as brands offered by your company.

Statement identifying the commodity. This should tell your customers what's in the bottle, what it's used for, why it's special, and why they need it. This should be featured prominently. Examples could be "Hydrating facial cream that reduces lines and wrinkles" or "Refreshing mouth rinse for reducing bad breath." Who doesn't want fewer wrinkles and reduced bad breath?

Net quantity/capacity statement. You need to tell your customer how much they're getting. Is there a dozen? How many ounces? Fluid ounces? You also need to provide the metric equivalent. In this case, 6 fl oz / 180 ml. This is typically included on the front panel at the very bottom.

Sales copy. If you've read any of the other articles in this blog, you know that you've got less than three seconds to persuade a customer to buy your product. USE SALES COPY. You want to sell your product right? Use your label to do that. It's your best salesperson.

Ingredients. Many consumers have allergies to different ingredients. Providing a list of ingredients can help influence their purchase. This may also be required by various regulating organizations; you'll want to research what's required.

Contact information. You need to include the name and place of business of the product's manufacturer, packer, or distributor. You will want to provide some way for your customers to contact you if need be. This is also required by most regulatory agencies.

Bar Code. Bar codes, or UPCs, are amazing and they're everywhere. You can apply to the Uniform Code Council (UCC) for permission to enter the UPC system. There is an annual fee for the privilege. In return, the UCC provides you with a six digit ID number (the first 6 digits of the bar code) as well as guidelines on how to use it. The remaining five digits of the UPC are your item number(s). The 12th digit is automatically generated. Read this article from howstuffworks for more information on UPCs.

Container & Packaging Supply has 4 printed samples that you can order for FREE to help you get your own package design ready. They can also help you with artwork and printing. Call 1-800-473-4144 for more information.

Click the image to order a free print sample from Container & Packaging Supply.

Wanting to save space? Euclid proves EZ Stor Pails are the answer.

2009-09-08T08:51:00.015-06:00

I haven't met anybody—packaging aficionados or otherwise—that don't quickly grasp the simplistic beauty of the rectangular pail. Most pails (AKA buckets) are round. Round pails are wonderful. They really are.

But rectangular pails are STUPENDOUS.

Read on or watch (embedded below) our CPS Video production featuring the EZ Stor pail line to learn exactly why to be square is better than being round.

For those of you who would prefer to read ... here's the crux of the video. EZ Stor pails are STUPENDOUS because they are square or rectangular instead of round. Thanks to our ancient friend Euclid of Alexandria we can use geometry to prove why square pails are STUPENDOUS opposed to just wonderful like round pails. We'll use the following image for our Euclidean experiment:

Hypothesis: Square (or rectangular) pails are STUPENDOUS because they don't waste space. Round pails do.

Assumptions: (1) The dimensions of both the round and the square pails are identical: length 12 inches, width 12 inches. (2) Both occupy a 12x12 inch space. (3) The 9 circles and the 9 squares occupy the same floorspace (36x36 inches), as pictured above.

Ok, let's do the math.

Our hypothesis is correct! Square pails have NO wasted space. Whereas the circles have 278.19 square inches of wasted space. Remember, this was all 2 dimensional ... the amount of wasted space is dramatically different when you run this experiment in 3D instead of 2D like we've done here. I mean look at all of that wasted space (see orange).

Really, if you haven't watched the video by now ... you should. This point is made much more dynamically, in 3D actually.

The EZ Stor pails are really stupendous. They also come with hinged lids, which makes getting in and out of them much easier. Some of the lids also have gaskets, which help to keep contents fresh and sealed. They work well in your pantry, garage, craft room, storage room, attic, wherever you need to store stuff.

Shop for EZ Stor pails now
Watch the video at youtube.com/conpakvideos

FDA Reaffirms Safety of BPA

2009-02-16T10:43:00.001-07:00

In a comprehensive draft scientific assessment issued today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly reaffirms the safety of food-contact products containing bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate plastic products such as baby bottles and sippy cups, and is used in epoxy linings of cans to help to protect the safety and integrity of foods and beverages.

Read full article here

How does the FDA define aromatherapy

2009-03-05T11:03:00.002-07:00

Traditionally, perfumes have been considered cosmetics by FDA. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics in part as articles intended to be applied to or introduced into the human body "for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance" (FD&C Act, Section 201).

On the other hand, articles intended for use in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and intended to affect the structure or any function of the body, are considered to be drugs -- with all "new drugs" requiring FDA's premarket approval.

While cosmetics and drugs both are under FDA's jurisdiction, the legal requirements applying to them differ. A claim that a perfume's aroma makes a person feel more attractive, in general, is a cosmetic claim not requiring FDA approval before a product is sold. But if someone tries to market a scent suggesting effectiveness as an aid in quitting smoking, as a sleeping aid, or to treat or prevent any other condition or disease, or otherwise affect the body's structure or function, such a claim may cause the product to be regulated as a drug, requiring premarket approval. The agency will make judgments on a case-by-case basis.

Source: fda.org

The FDA on BPA (Bisphenal A)

2009-08-20T12:23:00.007-06:00

Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been involved in countless studies regarding human health. BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastics are lightweight, have a high-performance rating and possess attributes of clarity, heat and electrical resistance that make it ideal for many applications.

Polycarbonate plastics are one of many different kinds of plastic with the plastic identification code of 7 (which is the catch-all category). Some common applications include: CDs, DVDs, electronic equipment, automobiles, sports equipment, some reusable food containers, some drink containers and more.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved BPA as a chemical used in food contact materials in the early 1960s. That approval was renewed in August 2008. However, just a couple of months ago in June, the FDA announced that it will review the science of BPA again in the late summer or fall.

The American Chemistry Council asserts that, "Under normal conditions of use, there are no known health risks from exposure to bisphenol A from consumer products, including food-contact materials." Please see bisphenol-a.org for more information.

This same organization also states that recent studies have shown that under exaggerated conditions polycarbonate plastics may release trace amounts of residual BPA. However, safety assessments conclude that potential human exposure to BPA is more than 400 times lower than the safety levels set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The American Chemistry Council says that you would have to eat more that 500 pounds of canned food and beverages every day for the rest of your life to exceed the safe level established by the EPA.

As with every issue, there is another side. This post merely states what the FDA is saying.

Five packaging must-knows

2009-06-01T08:57:00.004-06:00

Here are 5 vital things you need to know as you start on your journey that packages your product to sell:

You can't have a product without a package. Just think about potato chips and eggs for example. How could you sell them unbroken and undamaged without a package?
The package could cost more than what is inside. The rule of thumb is that the package should be 8-15% of the total cost on average. 10% of every dollar spent at retail is directly attributable to packaging.
Your package has to sell the product not just protect it. The average consumer spends just 2.6 seconds making a decision whether to pick up your product or not. So your packaging better be on target to the right audience with the right message.
Most packaging materials suppliers like large quantity orders. It's hard to find a supplier for small quantities. The double edged sword is that you don't have large orders when getting started.
Packaging trends and innovations can influence whether your product will ever get onto the store's shelf. The secret is in knowing what is going to be the "issue" of the future or what might be mandated as a "must have" in your product packaging.

Adapted and Condensed from (used with permission):
5 Things Every Business Needs To Know About Packaging
JoAnn Hines, The Packaging Diva
www.packagingdiva.com

CPS University: Packaging Expertise at your Fingertips

2009-07-06T12:56:00.015-06:00

Packaging is a big industry. Nearly everything you buy is packaged in something. Choosing the right kind of packaging for your product can be very difficult. Will my product interact poorly with this container? Is this plastic the right kind of plastic? What is the difference between a boston, imperial, industrial, and modern round?

Answers to these questions and more can be found here at CPS University -- an area of our website dedicated to helping you become a packaging expert.

Periodically we add articles to the CPS Blog that merit the CPS University label. This helps us and you continue our learning of this vast field. At CPS University you will find several courses:

Bottleology 101
Learn the different shapes and styles of bottles. What are the differences between a Boston, Imperial, Industrial, Sunset, and Modern Round?

Plasticology 101
Learn more about the properties of the different plastic types or resins. What are the 6 major plastic resins? Which will work best with your product?

Terminology 101
Learn more about the industry terminology in general. What is an HIS liner? Paneling? Fluorination?

Website Navigability 101
Learn more about the capabilities and tools built into this website. Learn how to use our website so you can get what you need as quickly as possible.

Color psychology: Picking the right color

2009-02-03T13:47:00.002-07:00

Color is everywhere and it impacts decisions you make everyday. What does it mean? How can you maximize impact? Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms? What colors in which constructs can maximize impact?

Color psychology is the study of how color affects you. And when you've got less than three seconds to catch a shopper's eye, picking the right colors is imperative.

Yellow is the most noticeable color. It is also the hardest color for the human eye to process. If you're wanting your product to catch consumers' eyes, yellow seems like a good idea; and if you are selling a citrus-based product, then yellow makes sense. However, using yellow to catch the eye for a calming lavendar-scented lotion may not be the best idea. Yellow is energy. Blues and purples are soothing and calming. Read more about the psychology of color below:

Black is the color of power and authority. Black is popular in clothing and fashion because it has a slimming effect. It can also denote submission (priests showing submission to God), evil (in the case of villains), decay and death. It is also the "go to" color for almost everything because, like white, it is the ultimate neutral.

White symbolizes purity, innocence and simplicity. White can be partnered with any color because, like black, it is the ultimate neutral. White clears the mind, and enables a fresh start (think of a blank piece of paper). It is the antithesis of clutter and chaos. White can also be seen as sterile ... clean yet lacking life. Think hospitals.

Red is the most powerful color. Red represents aggression, appetite, activity, and love. Red is an extreme color and is easily noticed. It is used a lot in restaurants and dining to stimulate appetite. Red increases enthusiasm, energy, and confidence. Pink (which is red with more white) has almost an opposite affect. Pink is a tranquilizer.

Orange is one of the most controversial colors. Orange evokes a "love it/hate it" response in a lot of people. Orange, like red, stimulates activity, appetite, socialization, and creativity. It is bright and cheerful, getting the notice that red does without the aggressive undertones. Some shades of orange have broader appeal: peach, rust, tera cotta for example.

Yellow is a cheerful color, yet it should be used with caution. Yellow is the most difficult color for the eye to process. People lose their tempers and babies cry more in yellow rooms (time to repaint the nursery). Yellow aids concentration and speeds metabolism. Yellow symbolizes happiness, cheerfulness, optimism, but also illness and decay.

Green is the most visible color to the human eye and is second only to blue as a favorite color. Natural greens are calming and refreshing. Green represents nature, peace, relaxation, health, harmony, wealth, and fertility. Some greens, however can seem institutional (money, government), or have undertones of illness, slime, or envy.

Blue is the most popular color, and the most gender generic. It is the color of the ocean and sky. Blue is calming and relaxing but can also be seen as cold, uncaring or depressing. Blue is an appetite suppressant, historically blue foods were poisonous. Not all blues are sedate, however, bright blues can be seen as electric and exhilarating.

Purple is the combination of red and blue. It is a dichotomy of aggression and calm. This can create a sense of uneasiness unless the undertone (is it more red or more blue) is clear. Purple connotes luxury, royalty, wealth and sophistication. It is also a feminine color and romantic. It can also appear artificial since it is rarely found in nature.

Brown is the color of reliability and stability. It is the color of our earth and evokes feelings of wholesomeness, nature, order, health and vitality. Brown can also be somber or wistful. This effect can be reduced by partnering it with oranges and reds. Light brown can be lighthearted, whereas dark browns like wood or leather are more hearty and somber.

What IS the main purpose of packaging?

2009-07-22T08:15:00.010-06:00

For several weeks, we have been polling our CPS Blog readers on what they think the MAIN purpose of packaging is. Admittedly our universe for this poll is small, only 22 votes. But, even a small sampling can give us some ideas.

Fifty percent believe that the main purpose of packaging is to encourage purchase. Protection came as second most important, a necessary evil came as third, and education is last. What can we glean from this data?

Packaging is your best salesman. We've cited several times in this blog that studies show that you've got less than three seconds to persuade the customer to buy your product. Our responders, at least, believe that packaging makes that decision easier. A good package catches the eye, says what it does, makes you a promise, and you have to decide if you can live without it.

What is sustainable packaging and how do I do it?

2009-08-03T16:50:00.000-06:00

It's official. Sustainable packaging has matured from fad to trend, according to experts. What is sustainable packaging and how can small, medium and large businesses adapt?

Fortunate for us, there is a coalition of sustainable packaging experts who can help us understand all things sustainable. They are called, you guessed it, The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).

Sustainable packaging is (1) beneficial, safe and healthy (2) meets market criteria for performance and cost and is (3) made and recycled using renewable energy. There are other criteria, refer to the SPC website for the full definition.

So what are some ways that you can make your product offering more sustainable?

Lightweight the package. Not all 8 oz boston round containers are of equal weight. Within the 8 oz boston rounds are containers that use more or less plastic. If your product performance is not compromised by using a lighter weight container, go for it.

Offer refills. If it makes sense economically and logistically for customers to get a refill, you might want to offer that service to them. You might even incentivize them by offering a discount on their refill since they've already purchased the package.

Accept returns. Some companies accept returns of the primary package. You could set up a loyalty program by offering a free gift to customers that return a certain number of your containers.

Recycle. Remember, ALL plastics are recyclable. Look on the bottom of each container and you can see the resin identification code. This tells you which recycling streams it can put into. You should also remember that not all materials can be recycled in all areas.

There are more ways to make your packaging more sustainable. Just with any other fad-turned-trend, your creativity is the only limit.

Evolution of containerandpackaging.com

2009-07-16T16:14:00.004-06:00

Please indulge me for just a moment. We were looking through some of our archives a couple of days ago and found some old screen shots of our website. We built our first iteration of the website almost 8 years ago. By today's standards it is an abomination. Back then ... it was pretty awesome (see video).

We got a bit better at it as the years went by, adding functionality and finesse. The website has evolved over the years into something that we're actually quite proud of. Our current iteration is just about 1 year old. I'm sure a decade from now we'll look back and chuckle, just like we're doing now.

Also, while I have your attention, this is our first video! We've just added video to our bag of tricks so keep your eyes open as we bring you in-depth videos on product demos, features, benefits and so on. Enjoy our first CPS Video and the evolution of containerandpackaging.com.

Plastics: Landfills and Incineration

2008-08-04T15:01:00.002-06:00

How do modern landfills protect the environment?
The purpose of solid waste management is to remove wastes from living areas in a way that protects human health and the environment. Landfills fulfill this mission by sealing wastes away from the surrounding environment with liners and keeping them covered by more than six inches of dirt.

By sealing in wastes, landfills also control biodegradation, limiting the risk of explosive methane emissions. Uncontrolled biodegradation could also result in a toxic sludge that, if leaked, would endanger groundwater supplies. Modern landfills almost "mummify" waste. Recent landfill excavations have turned up 35-year-old newspapers that were still perfectly legible and 15-year-old corn that was still recognizable.

Can degradable plastics solve the solid waste problem?
Because landfills are designed to limit degradation, degradable materials of any type are not likely to affect the amount of landfill space available. Likewise, degradability provides no benefit in the areas of recycling and waste-to-energy incineration.

In areas where composting or wastewater treatment is available as a solid waste disposal option, however, new degradable plastics may prove effective. Composting plastics and paper waste with other organic compostable materials like yard waste, food and agricultural waste creates a valuable soil supplement and contributes to improved farming and gardening efficiency. Flushable, biodegradable products are readily treated in a regulated wastewater and sewage treatment facility, reducing the impact on other disposal systems.

Are we running out of safe places to put landfills?
No. While the total number of landfills is decreasing, total landfill capacity is actually increasing. It appears that the trend in solid waste management is to operate fewer, but larger and safer, landfills. For example, in 1988, 70 percent of the country's landfills (the smaller ones) handled less than 5 percent of the MSW that was landfilled nationwide. Fewer than 500 landfills (the bigger ones), or 8 percent of the total, handled about 75 percent of the landfilled MSW.

Why are so many landfills being closed?
Landfills are closed when they fail to meet strict regulatory requirements or simply because they are full. Many of the "landfills" most recently shut down were small, poorly run and inefficient or were actually open dumps closed for environmental reasons.

Contrary to popular belief, landfills are designed to minimize and control biodegradation. If they weren't, the uncontrolled biodegradation of such large quantities of waste could create explosive gases and toxic leachate, a threat to our groundwater supplies.

What happens inside a modern waste-to-energy facility?
The energy value of municipal solid waste (MSW) can be recovered through waste-to-energy incineration. Modern energy recovery facilities burn MSW in special combustion chambers, then use the resulting heat energy to generate steam or electricity. This process reduces the volume of MSW to be landfilled by as much as 90 percent.

Energy recovery facilities are designed to achieve high combustion temperatures, which help MSW burn cleaner and create less ash for disposal. Modern air pollution control devices - electrostatic precipitators, dry and wet scrubbers, and/or fabric filters - are used to remove potentially harmful particulates and gases from incinerator emissions.

Is waste-to-energy incineration safe?
Yes. In 1989, the U.S. Conference of Mayors convened an international blue-ribbon panel of experts to discuss the health and safety impacts of waste-to-energy incineration. The symposium participants concluded that a properly equipped, operated and maintained energy recovery facility can operate within existing regulatory standards for human health and safety. The Clean Air Act of 1991 provided for an additional margin of security with tightened emissions standards. Furthermore, many communities are recognizing the importance of removing recyclables, as well as items such as batteries and household hazardous wastes, before incineration to reduce toxic components in incinerator ash.

The symposium participants found that, contrary to popular misconception, there is no evidence to link the incineration of PVC with increased dioxin emissions. Similar conclusions have been reached in a number of sources, including a 1987 study for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Generally speaking, electricity is generated as safely through waste-to-energy incineration as it is through a power plant.

How much waste-to-energy capacity is there?
There are 121 energy recovery facilities operating in the United States, with a designed capacity of nearly 97,000 tons per day. An additional five facilities are under construction and 31 are in the planning stages. If all of these facilities come on line as planned, 19 percent of the nation's MSW will be processed by energy recovery facilities by the year 2000.

How do plastics contribute to waste-to-energy incineration?
Plastics are derived from petroleum or natural gas, giving them a stored energy value higher than any other material commonly found in the waste stream. In fact, one pound of plastics can generate twice as much energy as Wyoming coal and almost as much energy as fuel oil. When plastics are processed in modern waste-to-energy facilities, they can help other waste combust more completely, leaving less ash for disposal in landfills.

Resin Prices WERE Up

2008-01-12T08:14:00.003-07:00

The rumors were true. Plastic resin prices went up ... but then they came back down. Way down.

The plastic resins market for 2008 climbed steadily from January to June, realizing an approximated average price increase of 30 percent.

Over the second half of the year, prices steadily dropped by an approximated 54 percent.

Over the course of the year, 2008 realized a 40 percent overall decrease in plastic prices.

Bill Bowie, president of a Texas-based resin-purchasing consulting company says, “Barring some major global event, we may see a more stable resin pricing environment globally as economies start to rebuild themselves."

Overall, PE prices are projected to be 25 percent lower in 2009 vs 2008. PP has also dropped. PVC, PS, and PET continue to decline.

Sources
http://www.ptonline.com/pricing/
http://www.theplasticsexchange.com/default.aspx

Heat Induction Seals are Tamper-Evident

2008-02-06T14:57:00.004-07:00

Induction sealing, otherwise known as cap sealing, is a non-contact method of heating a metallic disk to hermetically seal (airtight seal) the top of plastic and glass containers. After the cap is applied, the container passes under an induction coil, causing the aluminum foil liner to heat. The heat melts the wax in the liner, which absorbs into the liner's pulp backing and releases the foil from the cap. The polymer film also heats and flows onto the lip of the container. When cooled, the polymer creates a bond with the container resulting in a hermetically sealed product. Neither the container nor its contents are affected, and this all happens in a matter of seconds.

Glass made for candles

2008-06-23T12:59:00.003-06:00

Avoid burning candles in any glass item not specifically designed for candles. Glass candle holders are specifically manufactured to withstand the temperature changes that occur when burning a candle. Everyday glassware is not designed for burning candles. Be sure to look through our candles catalog for glass that is ready for burning candles.

Benefits of Plastics

2008-07-09T14:34:00.005-06:00

Performance All Wrapped Up
When the packaging questions are tough, plastics are often the answer. Sometimes they are the only answer, performing tasks no other materials can perform and providing consumers with products and services no other materials can provide.

Different plastics offer different qualities, giving manufacturers and consumers the freedom to choose the type of plastic that best suits the application. Plastics can be rigid when protection is needed, or flexible for convenience's sake. They can be clear or opaque. And they can be molded into a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Offering safety, quality, convenience and savings, plastic packaging meets needs.

Safety by Design
In medical facilities, plastic packaging offers a superior ability to protect products against contamination and, consequently, patients against infection. The chemical resistance, transparency and toughness of plastics enhance safety and efficiency in both the laboratory and day-to-day hospital use. Plastics, which can conform to any shape and guard against impurities, are the perfect materials for shipping and storing intricate medical instruments. And in uses such as see-through intravenous bags and break-resistant containers, plastic packaging has proven indispensable in modern medical care.

In the home, break-resistant, shatterproof and no-spill plastic bottles cut down on injuries and clean-ups anywhere the floor is hard and hands may be slippery. Plastic packaging for shampoos, harsh chemicals and motor oils make at-home tasks easier and less hazardous. Child-resistant plastic closures and leak-proof plastic containers for medicines and chemicals provide safety for tots and peace of mind for parents, while tamper-evident closures and shrink-wrap bands made of plastic help protect consumers from tampering.

Food-service outlets and their customers rely on plastic packaging to protect food products against contamination and retain desired temperatures longer. And single-serve plastic packaging for condiments not only preserves freshness and flavor, it also ensures the consumer a sanitary portion while cutting down on food waste.

There When We Need Them
Plastic packaging molds itself to modern lifestyles. Today's working parents and busy homes rely on its convenience and the services it provides.

Microwave ovens have become a near necessity in American homes, and plastic trays are the package of choice for consumers. Microwave cooking enables active people to eat well without spending their limited leisure time on food preparation. The elderly, too, benefit from the ease of microwavable food packaging.

Plastic packaging also preserves flavor and saves time in conventional cooking and storage. Squeeze bottles for condiments, boil-in-bag dishes, resealable bags for everything from shredded cheese to cereal, freezer bags that protect food against ice crystals, precooked foods that are microwavable in the package all contribute to quality meals in the home.

Extremely lightweight and molded to promote easy handling, plastic containers allow consumers to enjoy the savings of beverages, detergents and other products in the "large economy size." And plastic packaging, which can be transparent without being fragile, enables consumers to see what they're getting and to serve themselves.

In addition to saving space in today's smaller living quarters, plastic packaging can be as decorative as it is serviceable. Further, it won't leave rust rings on counters and fixtures. For a host of personal and home products, plastic packaging works well and looks good, too.

For Shipping, Storing, Savings
The use of plastics for shipping and storage will continue to grow. Strong, durable and tear resistant, plastic packaging saves energy, space and money. Plastic containers, which generally require less energy to manufacture than other packaging, also require less fuel to transport than heavier materials. Additional savings come from reductions in shipping damage and elimination of the need for additional packing materials, such as partitions between individual products. Strong enough for stacking and moldable into space-saving shapes, plastic containers can maximize warehousing room and lower storage costs.

Meeting unique packaging needs - from anti-static protective packaging for electronic components to shelf-stable containers for products that once required costly cold storage - are a specialty of plastics. Because they can be molded to fit contours, plastics provide the ultimate protection in packaging office machines, entertainment units, computer components and other delicate products. Tough enough to withstand the stresses of transportation yet capable of screening out even the smallest particle of dust, plastic packaging delivers.

These factors all add up to savings for producers and merchants and can result in lower prices for consumers.

Disposing of Myths
After their intended use, plastic containers often can be used again - for the same or a different purpose. Plastic grocery sacks can tote wet swimsuits home from the beach or garbage to the bin. In the hands of ingenious consumers, plastic milk jugs become planters and plastic soda bottles are converted to bird feeders.

In 1994, over 1 billion pounds of plastics were recycled. That figure has grown dramatically as new technologies, markets and collection systems are developed. Some 15,000 communities have more than tripled their collection of plastics for recycling in the last four years. Recycled plastic soft-drink bottles are being used to create new products, such as new bottles, fiberfill for winter clothing, carpeting and building materials. Recycled plastic milk jugs and soft-drink-bottle base cups are being used to create drainage pipes, buckets and plastic "lumber" for boat docks. And mixed plastics are being recycled into landscaping "timber" and outdoor benches.

Plastic packaging, which constitutes less than 4 percent of all municipal solid waste by weight, also can be disposed of safely in landfills. And when incinerated, plastics - with their high energy content - help the waste mix burn more efficiently, enhancing waste-to-energy conversion and leaving less ash for disposal.

More in Store
Plastic packaging continues to have the wrap on consumer preference. Freshness, storage stability and ease of preparation are among the consumer goals driving the popularity of plastic food packaging. New ideas include plastic containers for cereal, coffee, spices and baby food, as well as squeeze bottles that allow portion control of juice concentrates and keep contents fresh in the refrigerator for up to five weeks. Freezer-to-oven-to-table plastic food packaging is now available for both microwave and conventional oven use. And plastic container design itself is participating in the cooking, with innovations such as tapered popcorn boxes that keep the kernels in the hot oil and microwavable cake mixes with reusable trays.

In other types of packaging as well, consumers and the hospitals, schools and other institutions that serve them increasingly are turning to plastics.

Safe, sanitary, easy to use and economical, plastic packaging is the shape of the future.

Source
The Society of the Plastics Industry
www.plasticsindustry.org/industry/2117.htm
© Copyright 2007 The Society of the Plastics Industry

Plastics and Energy Efficiency

2008-08-01T14:59:00.005-06:00

Can plastics actually save energy?
Yes. And they use less energy than you might think: the raw materials that go into the production of plastics account for only 1.5 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. In addition, it often takes less energy to convert plastics from a raw material into a finished product than comparable products made of other materials:

Plastic grocery bags require 40 percent less energy to make than paper bags.
Foam polystyrene containers require 30 percent less total energy than paperboard containers.
Fifty-three billion kilowatt hours of electricity are saved annually by improvement in major appliance energy efficiency made possible by plastic applications. Without plastics, these appliances would use 30 percent more energy.

Would more energy be conserved if plastic packaging were replaced by non-plastic alternatives?
No. In fact, the total energy used in manufacturing plastic packaging is considerably less than the energy used to produce non-plastic alternatives -- even when the inherent energy value of plastics' raw materials is factored in. This means that without plastics, the equivalent of an additional 58 million barrels of oil or 325 billion cubic feet of natural gas would have been required to meet America's packaging needs in 1990. That's enough to meet the energy needs of 100,000 homes for 35 years.

Source
The Society of the Plastics Industry
www.plasticsindustry.org/outreach/environment/2107.htm
© Copyright 2003 The Society of the Plastics Industry

The history of plastic

2008-09-02T16:43:00.002-06:00

In today's world, life without plastics is incomprehensible. Whether you are aware of it or not, plastics have become a familiar part of our lives, where these organic polymeric materials play a vital role in the modern society. Plastic's versatility allows it to be used in everything from car parts to doll parts, and from soft drink bottles to the fridges that they are stored in.

Such variations in its applications contribute to our health, safety and peace of mind. Though the growth of such synthetic plastics has virtually reshaped our environment since World War II, there is a challenge to retain the benefits that the use of plastics can offer, while at the same time ensuring that they do not cause environmental harm.

Despite the popularity and suitability of plastics, it has constantly been subjected to trenchant criticisms. Hence the role and the chemistry of plastics, and its impact on the society and the environment becomes an apparent issue. POLYMERS: THE BASICS: As defined by Webster's Dictionary, plastic are any of various complex organic compounds produced by polymerization, capable of being molded, extruded, cast into various shapes and films, or drawn into filaments used as textile fibers. Plastics have a very unique chemical structure, as they are composed of long-chain molecules, which contain small groups of recurring atoms linked together.

Chemically speaking, such giant molecule chains are called polymers, where these long polymer molecules become entangled with each other. The word, polymer, refers to something made of many units. Each link of this long chain is a basic unit or a monomer, encompassed with organic materials, such as the elements; carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, chlorine and sulphur. In order to form the polymer chain, many monomers are hooked or polymerized together.

This process of polymerization is a chemical reaction usually in the presence of a catalyst, which combines single molecules into long-chain molecules. Though a considerable amount of force is required to disentangle the polymer chains, but when subjected to heat these chains move apart to permit one to slide over the other yet still retain their cohesiveness. Since polymers are very large and very complex molecules, the chemistry of their formation remains very complex.

What is a thermoplastic?

2008-09-10T16:45:00.002-06:00

The term, thermoplastics mean that once the polymer is formed, it can be heated and reformed over and over again. The molecules are held together by weak secondary bonding forces that causes the plastic to soften when exposed to light and return back to its original shape, when cooled back down to room temperature. The structure associated with thermoplastics is that of individual molecules that are separate from one another and flow past one another.

The molecules may have low or extremely high molecular weight, and they may be branched or linear in structure, but the essential feature is that of separability and consequent mobility. It should also be noted that these substances also have little cross-linking. Since extrusion, molding or pressing when exposed to heat can shape thermoplastics; it therefore offers versatility and a large range of applications.

This property of plastics allows for easy processing and facilitates recycling; the majority of polymers are therefore thermoplastics.

Polyethylene: packaging, electrical insulation, milk and water bottles, packaging film, house wrap, agricultural film

Polypropylene: carpet fibers, car bumpers, microwave containers

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): floor and wall coverings, siding, credit cards, car instrument panels.

What is thermosetting?

2008-09-24T16:47:00.002-06:00

A thermoset is a polymer that solidifies irreversibly when heated. Similar to the relationship between a raw and a cooked egg, once heated, a thermoset polymer can't be softened again; the egg can't reverts back to its original form. During the initial processing, thermosetting resins undergo a chemical reaction that results in an insoluble network. Essentially, the entire heated, finished article becomes one large molecule. For example, the polymer used in making a fiber-reinforced laminate for a golf club undergoes a cross-linking reaction when it is molded at a high temperature.

Any amount of heat does not soften the material to the point where it can be reworked and indeed may serve only to break it down. Hence, thermosetting substances must have sufficient cross-linking of their chains to prevent molecular motion on heating. Thermosets are therefore valued for their durability and strength and are primarily used in vehicles and construction.

Polyurethanes: mattresses, insulation, toys

Unsaturated Polyesters: varnishes, furniture, boat hulls

Epoxies: glues, coating for electrical circuits, helicopter blades.