“How it’s made: Packaging” and “Giving Packaging a new
life” are both episodial documentaries
that deliver us crucial insights about recycling wastes like packaging as well
as how these different types of packaging are made. Also, in a stealth way,
these documentaries are trying to teach us to be more aware and conscious in
choosing materials for packing and its impacts in its end life.
The documentary ‘How it’s made: Packaging’ showed how a cardboard
boxes is made. They compose of 3 basic but crucial elements which are a wavy
sheet bonded in the middle of two separate liners or flat sheets to have a
strong foundation. This interest me, because cardboard boxes are tough but
manufacturers only used an ancient type of glue which is made out of starch and
water. Having said, this plays a great impact in recycling the cardboard. For
the reason being that being a paper-base product and with a natural
water-starch glue the process of dissolving and pulping would be more natural
in a way. This is also the same process used for paper recycling which is
showed in ‘Giving a packaging a new life’.
If manufacturers and designers wants a packaging material
that protects and for long shelf life, aluminium is always available as an
affordable choice. Aluminium cans like what is used for soft drink is one
example of protect and long life packaging. In the process of making this
aluminium can it’s amazing how aluminium sheets punched into a cylindrical pieces/moulds
to form a can. Water-based coating is applied into the can that serves as a
barrier between the material and the drink. This is done to avoid contamination
and taste the aluminium in the drink. This is evident from the ‘how its made’
documentary. In ‘Giving a packaging a new life’ it shows aluminium and plastic
excess from making a tetra pack can also be recycled for cement production.
Plastic bottles like PET are the most popular and widely
used throughout the world because is the easiest type of plastic to be
recycled. It is crucial to sort out the type of plastics before recycling in
order to achieve the best possible outcome.
It is very crucial for designers to think the type of
materials to use in making packaging. Correct decision from choosing the
material, process in making and consumer’s end process will affect the whole
world at the end. Having eco-friendly materials to make packaging have less
carbon footprints which is healthy for individuals and the environment. Lastly,
designers should not be insensitive in making decision and be more consciousness
for future living and earth’s preservation which I think is communicated in the
two documentaries How its made: Packaging and Giving packaging a new life.
