Group+3+v2

​​​​​**​**Welcome to __Tom__, __Julian__ , __Raji__ and __Emma__ 's Wiki Space! ;D __Group 3__ __ Packaging and the Environment __

On our Wiki Space our group of 4 has researched the issues of food packaging and its affect on the environment. We have researched the past of packaging with a time-line and an interview with an older person to tell us what packaging (particularly for food) was like 'back in the day'. We have also done research so we can try and predict changes to food packaging in the future.



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=Packaging: Past, Present and Future= __//Interviews://__ ** In this task we have researched an older person in the society to broaden our views on the differences in packaging that have occurred in the last 20- 30 years. The environmental differences and the practicality. We have asked for personal opinions on the shops of today and how things are packaged.

__Interview 1:__

media type="file" key="1003211737_00.mp3" width="263" height="109" //Um, not really. People use to shop more at the local shops, or there use to be some small local supermarkets.//
 * Q1: Did most people shop at large chain supermarkets in the 1970s?**

//Um, the big chain supermarkets, um i don't think, would not have used as much environmentally friendly packaging, because they offer more pre-packaged foods and most of the food is not local. But the smaller supermarkets used to use paper bags and stuff like that.//
 * Q2: If so, what kind of impact do you think this would have on packaging?**

//In the 70's, if i remember right, was more large brown paper bags. And some people had some net-looking bags and sometimes they didn't have to use bags too// //because they used to be able to buy meat, milk, veggies and bread through the street delivery vans.//
 * Q3: What type of bags did people carry their groceries in?**

//Um, organic wasn't really well known then. People used to buy fresh fruit and veggies at the local veggie shops and probably use the local products.//
 * Q4: Did people shop for fruit and vegetables at an organic fruit & veg?**

//Um,no. First of all, a lot of items that big chains offer are pre-packaged// //and use a lot of non-recyclable or hard to recycle items. They don't always have fair trading and they don't always use local products.//
 * Q5: Do you prefer the shops of today? Why/Why not?**

//Um, yes. In the 70s there was more small owned businesses but now there is big chain supermarkets. And they tend to take over everything and not use the local products, like I said before. Also, despite them saying they're environmentally conscious they're often not.//
 * Q6: Is there significant differences between the shops of today and those of the 70s?**

//Probably the life shelf of meat products and fresh vegetables. Now you can have them for a bit longer. For example, the lettuces have stay fresh bags and things like that.//
 * Q7: Is there anything we have today that you couldn't have in 70's because of packaging issues? Or vice versa?**

//Um, recently, yes. Since we've been able to get rid of all the plastic bags. So we can use the same bags over. And a lot of plastic is getting recycled. Like different types of plastic are getting recycled. And the 10cent bottle tax sort of encourages people to recycle things.//
 * Q8: Do you find packaging of today more environmentally friendly? Why/Why not?**

__Interview 2:__ Meat:** //Brown paper on a roll that was torn off at the right length.//
 * Q1: In the 1960's what was the main packaging material for:
 * Coffee:** //Coffee essence liquid and Turkish powder that came in glass jars//
 * Fruit:** //Canned from the shop or fresh from your own trees.//
 * Milk:** //Glass bottles delivered by the milkman. No cartons.//
 * Bread:** //No wrapping. Delivered by the baker//.

//Packaging was made out of less processed materials, for example paper and string. There were no frozen foods.//
 * Q2: How has packaging changed since then?**

//Yes, the paper was normally reused. If not, it was put under trees as compost.//
 * Q3: Was any of the packaging reused?**

//In some ways it was easier then as a lot was delivered. Also there was a shop on every corner so you didn't have to go far. However having everything in one big supermarket has made finding want you need easier today. Also today there is a much larger selection of goods.//
 * Q4: It is easier to shop now or then?**

//Not as much. There were two main brands that used colour to their advantage - Coca Cola and Cadbury.//
 * Q5: Was packaging in colour then?**

//There is a lot more information such as ingredients and nutritional information. In the 1960's goods only had the name and brand.//
 * Q6: What sort of information is on packaging today that wasn't there in the 1960's?**

=__**// Time Line //**__=

In this task we must research the history of packaging, particularly in food. We have documented the differences in packaging through the years and environmental advances. We have included what was packaged and the materials that were used. ** Pre-historic- ** Leather flasks, gourds, carved wooden bowls. Leaves for wrapping and storing small quantities, skins and hides for moving and storing larger amounts. ** 10,000 BC- ** Pottery first made in Japan . ​ **1,500 BC-** Hollow glass bottles first made. ** 100 BC- ** First blown glass bottles made by the Romans**.** **1809 ****- ** **First air-tight glass containers invented. ** **1840 ****- ** **Air-tight metal cans were popularly used. ** **1870 ****<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">- ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Screw stoppers for glass bottles. To keep drinks (wine etc) fresher for longer. ** **1907-** **First <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">commercial plastic, called Bakelite, was invented. By the 1920s it was used extensively as a packaging material, particularly for toiletries. ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1920s ****//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">- //** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Potato crisps were sold in tins to keep them fresh. ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Cellophane became popular for wrapping foods like lollies and chocolates. ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1923 ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">- ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Birdseye first made frozen foods, sealed in cartons and wax paper wrappers, available to consumers. ****<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> 1933- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Polythene invented by I.C.I, a British chemicals company. ** **<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1 ****<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">934- ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">First beer cans used. ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Aluminum foil caps first used on milk bottles. ** 1967- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Ring-pull openers for cans introduced. ****<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> 1970s- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Many new plastics developed for packaging. ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Child-proof bottle lids first used. Bar codes became common on packaging. ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1980s ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">- ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Plastic tubes for such items as toothpaste, cosmetics and medicines took over from metal tubes. ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Growth of convenience food packaging, including special designs for microwave ovens. ** **<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1990s ****<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">- ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Certain plastics can now be put in a hot oven for cooking food. Technology can change the composition of inert gases in packaging to preserve food longer. **
 * 3,500BC - **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">First pottery recorded in Europe
 * 3,000BC- ** Ancient Egyptians coated food in honey to preserve it.
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%;">Pre 1800s- **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Glass phials and bottles, and stoneware with hand printed labels. Sacks, chests and barrels were used for moving and storing large goods. Portions measured out and wrapped in paper by grocers.
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%;">1800-1850- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Introduction of individual cartons and cardboard boxes. Hand printed labels were used on bottles and cartons. Box-making and metal packaging started to develop. Molded glass developed. **
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1852- ** **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">First paper bag-making machine created in America. **
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1880s- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Mass production, folding cartons and colour printing produced growth of branded goods. **
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1890- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Crown cap for bottles invented. **
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1892- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Metal tubes for toothpaste introduced (but had been used for artists' paints since 1840. **
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1894- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Coca-Cola first bottled **
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1910s- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Waxed paper cartons first used for cream. **
 * <span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">1940s ****<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">- ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Aerosols become popular ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">. ****<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Manufacturers started printing directly onto packaging materials, such as glass and metals. Plastic first used as a packing material. ****<span style="background-color: #fdc4fd; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">

= ** Packaging in the future and waste management ** =

** Problems of packaging ** Burying packages in the ground using landfill might not seem that bad, but each plastic bottle will take about 450 years to naturally break down. At the moment Britain makes 28 000 000- 28 million- tonnes of landfill a year and its predicted to double over the next 20 years if people continue like this. In 2006, the amount of C02 gases made from producing packaging was the same as 7 million petrol cars. Nano particles were first used in the food industry for packaging. To stop food getting stale or rotting, some packaging uses nano particles to block oxygen or germs from getting in. Environmentally smart shoppers may be able to use completely recyclable packaging soon, as researchers are working towards reducing Carbon emissions with modified, natural packaging. **// The Future //** Some plastics being developed or soon to be developed combine strange materials. Molecules found in the shells of crabs and other crustaceans can be used to produce waterproof plastics, and clay particles can be infused to help the packaging break down.

= Packaging in the present and breakdown of packages = Part 3

Food Packaging Materials

__**Emma:**__


 * Jatz biscuit box-** This is completely recyclable, it is designed to protect the biscuits from being broken.
 * Baked beans**- A tin can is also recyclable. It is designed to keep the beans fresh.
 * Mi goreng packet-** A mi goreng packet is made of plastic. It is also non-recyclable.
 * Bag of tomatoes**- A bag of tomatoes is made of clear plastic and is not recyclable. It is designed to keep the tomatoes safe and keep them fresh.
 * McDonald's happy meal**- Is completely recyclable, when you get it, it's in a paper bag which is also recyclable.


 * __Raji:__

Uncle Toby's muesli bar box-** These boxes are are made of completely recyclable cardboard. the purpose of these boxes are to protect the bars and make it easy for people to stack them in storage. The individual bars in each box are made of non-recyclable plastic. The purpose of these packets are to keep the muesli fresh chewy and the keep the fruit from getting stale.
 * Bag of Lettuce-** The lettuce is packaged in a clear plastic bag. the bag is not recyclable. This bag is fitted with little air hole which keep it fresh and help drain the water from the lettuce.
 * Steak-** Steaks, as well as other meats, are packaged on a black foam plate and covered in Glad Wrap. Neither of these materials are recyclable. The purpose of the Glad Wrap is to keep the meat from getting wet or letting to much air into the raw meat. While the foam plates are easy to dispose of and clean and don't stink when left with raw meat.
 * Ginger beer bottle-** Bunderberg Ginger Beer bottles are made of glass with the 10c recyclable sign on them. The bottles are sized perfectly to fit stubbie holders and are easy to store. The bottles are vacuumed packed with an air/water tight lid to keep the drink from going flat.
 * Pizza box**- These boxes are 100% recyclable cardboard. Pizza boxes are not tightly packed or closed because people usually travel short distances with them and they are not subjected to any harsh weather. The cardboard makes the pizza boxes easy and mess free because they can be thrown out.

__**Tom:**__


 * Continental Cup A Soup-**The box is 100% recyclable. Inside the box are individual packets. The box is recyclable but the paper packets have a coating of plastic on the inside. The purpose of the box is to protect the packages, and to hold more than one package. The packages are airtight and contain the soup powder.
 * Plain Flour**- The container is made out of plastic with a screw top lip. The container is airtight to keep the flour fresh and can protect the flour from moths. It is reusable as you can buy flour in paper bags and refill the plastic container. It is recyclable.
 * Bag of oranges**-The bag is a plastic material weaved into a bag. The bag prevents the oranges from falling out. The bag has small holes in it to allow moisture to escape and help stop the oranges from going moldy.
 * Carton of milk** (Long Life)-The carton is made out of cardboard with a plastic lid. Both are recyclable. The carton prevents the milk from spilling out and because the milk has been heat treated also stops the milk from going off.
 * Chicken Hot Pack**-The carton is made of polystyrene which is not recyclable. The carton has different sections to separate the food and the polystyrene helps keep the food warm. The carton is disposable.

__**Julian:**__ **Subway Wrapping Paper**- recyclable paper, covered in drawings of fruit and vegetables. Underneath this wrapper is another, tighter, plain wrapper to stop the subway from falling apart. **Kraft jar of smooth peanut butter**- The jar is made of thick, strong plastic to keep it from breaking. It has a screw top, sealed lid to keep the jar airtight. There is a recyclable paper cover on the jar. The purpose of it is to keep the peanut butter from spilling, and keeping it fresh.
 * Rockstar energy drink**- The energy drink is packaged inside a thin metal can, with a pull off ring to break the seal. Obviously the can won’t break down, but is recyclable for the metal.
 * Steak sausages**- Packaged in a polystyrene foam container, with glad wrap pulled over the top. None of the packaging will break down, but can be recycled. The polystyrene foam in particular is easy to compress, as it is mostly air.
 * Bag of apples**- The apples are held in a tight, thin plastic bag with holes along the sides. The holes are there to allow water to leak out, and to give the apples air. The apple might bump against each other and bruise, but they are usually packed tight.

Task 4

PART A).

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 90%; line-height: 115%;">Chemistry- Tin cans must be stored in the fridge in a __separate container__ after opening. As when the food is put in the can, only sterilized air is allowed in. When you open the can, unsterilized air goes into the can and the food will react to the air and metal together, leaving the food with a metallic taste. Tin cans are %100 recyclable. What else is stored in a tin can? Sauces, Diced vegetables (i.e tomatoes), fruit juices, diced fruit in juice (i.e peaches, grapefruit), tinned spaghetti, //Advantages, disadvantages//: Advantages of using tin cans is that it is recyclable, it is good for the environment. Disadvantages are that leaving food in a tin can after opening will cause the food to taste metallic. Tin cans will keep food good for longer, until opened, once opened there is only a certain amount of time it will last. Tin cans also don’t need to be refrigerated, again, after opened the leftover food will need to be transferred to another container and refrigerated. Tinned foods are often in fire shelters and bomb shelters, as they can be left in there for long periods of time, without going bad, so if there is an emergency and people are stuck in a shelter for a long time, they have food to eat<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.
 * Tin cans-**

__[]__** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">I
 * Aluminum (Foil)-

Foil is a very thin sheet of Aluminum. It is not pure Aluminum but something called 'commercial purity'. This term means that foil can be found in a lot of different alloys and tempers which give a wide range of flexible properties. Foil thickness ranges from the thinnest produced commercially at around 0.0065 mm (or 6.5 micrometers) to the biggest limit of 0.2 mm (or 200 micrometers). Foil that is thicker than 0.2 mm is called a sheet or a strip. Foil is used for many various reasons, but the domestic tasks are the most common. Things like, wrapping hot of cold food to keep the heat/cool in. Al-foil is one of the leading food wrappings and this is because of its effective insulation properties.

ALUMINUM FOIL FACTS: - Because of Aluminum's class of metal in the Periodic table, Al-foil is a very good conductor of electricity. - Melting Point = 660 degrees/c - Foil is corrosion resistant because of the natural surface oxide in aluminum. When that is put together with the oxygen in the air it creates a shield which makes it corrosion resistant. - Aluminum Foil is nonreactive to nearly everything except strong acids and alkaline, which is what makes such a good material for packaging food. - Odorless and tasteless - Aluminum is extremely reflective. It reflects back 98% of light and heat.

ADVANTAGES: Al foil has many good points to it. Foil is highly recycled because any sheet of foil can be re-melted and used again. And because of this foil will never run out or disappear. It also does not react in any way to foods and most liquids. And it does not make your food smell or taste funny which sometimes happens with plastic containers. DISADVANTAGES: (none)


 * Cardboard- **

Cardboard can be split into two categories: __Paperboard__ This is thicker than paper and is used to make cereal boxes and other food cartons. It is lightweight but strong and can easily be formed. Like paper it is made from wood pulp. Once recycled it is mixed with new pulp as new wood fibers increase the strength. __Corrugated Fiberboard__ This is made of two flat liner boards with a corrugated sheet in between. Both are made from container board which is like paper board but is over .25mm thick. Corrugated fiberboard is usually used to hold large items or lots of smaller packages. Old corrugated fiberboard is excellent for recycling. It is pulped in water and then used to make new paper products.

**Paper-** Paper- Paper is an (almost) completely natural packaging, primarily made from tree and plant material. Paper, unlike cardboard, is cut thin and is often written on. It can be used for labels and padding. One advantage of paper is that it is completely biodegradable and recyclable. It is also non-toxic. One of problem of using paper though is that plastic is made from trees, and trees are important for life on Earth.

Polycarbonate Plastic- Plastic is a general term, used to describe a range of synthetic or mostly synthetic materials. Polycarbonate is a tough and strong plastic and is often used in the creation of drink bottles. It’s so tough in fact, that it is often used in bullet proof windows, drive through windows and enclosures like ones inside banks. It is almost unbreakable, and 1/6th the weight of glass, so it’s only downside is it costs more than glass or polymer (a similar plastic).

TASK 5

Smith’s chips packet- Here we have the Smith’s original packet. It contains approximately 97 chips per pack. It is a 175 gram plastic packet, and is slightly more than half filled with chips. During the drop test, the chips were mostly cracked from the impact: not completely but only a few were protected. After the drop test, the chips were destroyed. We think that the reason why the Smiths chip packet took the drop test better than the pringles packet is that the sides are soft and packed with air to cushion the chips. We also think that the soft sides helped to stop the chips crunching into one another. Some factors to consider are that Smiths chip packets are non-recyclable, and can go unnoticed to rubbish collectors. One 175 gram packet of Smiths original chips costs $2.99, so the smiths chips cost $0.017 dollars per gram, or 0.17 cents. A chip is about 0.55 of a gram, so you’re paying about 0.3 cents for a ½ gram chip.


 * DROP TESTS:**

Pringles - media type="file" key="Drop test-emma.3gp" width="300" height="300"

Smiths - media type="file" key="Drop test-julian.3gp" width="300" height="300"