Materials for packaging

4.4. Rigid plastics

Rigid plastics are used for their thermoformability, which means they can be molded into any shape, size and form. They can be clear/transparent or colored. They provide high stability and excellent barrier properties. Among them are PET or APET and HDPE. If they are mono materials, meaning not layered with another material, they are theoretically recycable, but in reality that is rarely the case, except for PET water bottles.

Image source: https://dakotavalleyrecyclingmn.gov/curbside/whats-up-with-plastics

Image Sources: https://www.honokage.com/heres-iml-first-choice-plastic-packaging-containers/ ;  https://www.pinnpack.com/clamsells ;  https://www.indiamart.com/sarvodayacompany/food-packaging-tray.html ; https://www.easypak.com/knowledge-center/meat-and-protein-tray-packaging-design-trends-2022