Primary Packaging
The packaging that directly contains or holds the product and is typically what the consumer sees on the shelf. Examples include bottles, cans, wrappers, jars, and blister packs.
Primary packaging is the layer of packaging in direct contact with the product. It is the sales unit that the consumer takes home and is designed to protect, contain, and present the product.
Examples of primary packaging include:
- Glass bottles and jars for food and beverages
- Plastic containers, tubs, and pots
- Metal cans for food and drinks
- Cardboard boxes that directly house the product
- Flexible film wrappers and pouches
- Blister packs for pharmaceuticals
Under pEPR, primary packaging must be reported by the brand owner. It must be classified by material type and whether it ends up in the household or non-household waste stream. Primary packaging is subject to modulated fees, so its recyclability directly affects costs. Compare with secondary packaging and transit packaging.
Related Terms
Brand Owner
A producer category under EPR referring to the business whose brand appears on p...
Secondary Packaging
Packaging used to group multiple primary packages together, often for display or...
Transit Packaging
Packaging used to protect goods during transport and distribution, which is typi...
Household Packaging
Packaging that ends up in the household waste stream, discarded by consumers at ...
Packaging Material
The physical material from which packaging is made. Under EPR, packaging must be...
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