Packaging flow
Given the UK has adopted a system of shared responsibility throughout the supply chain of packaging, it is important to understand the packaging flow from raw material manufacturer to end-user consumption.
Understanding the packaging flow
Stage 1
The process begins with the manufacturer of raw materials (e.g. plastic granules, steel sheet).
Stage 2
Following raw material manufacturer, the next stage in the packaging flow is taken up by the converter who will convert the raw materials into packaging (e.g. plastic granules blow moulded into plastic bottles or steel being converted in steel cans).
Stage 3
The next stage in the supply chain following conversion is a pack filling activity of the packaging supplied by the converter (e.g. plastic bottles filled with a beverage or steel cans filled with foodstuff).
Stage 4
The filled packaging is then transported to the retailer who acts as the seller when selling the packaged goods to the final user or consumer of the packaging.
Alternatively...
The other scenario is for all the activities of the packaging flow to occur abroad before being imported for final consumption.
Positive action
The idea of the packaging regulations in the UK is to incentivise all obligated companies throughout the packaging supply chain to do the following:
- Minimise the amount of packaging they put onto the market
- Re-design the packaging so that is less harmful on the environment
- Encourage the amount of packaging potentially being recovered, reused and recycled so that the packaging flow ultimately becomes more sustainable
In summary
To handle packaging that makes up the packaging flow means to carry out one or more of the following activities:
- Supply packaging raw materials that you have manufactured
- Supply packaging that you have converted from raw materials
- Supply packed/filled products to retailers
- Supply packed/filled products to end users or consumers
- Import packaging or packaging materials
