Sofia Martinez
Plastic containers are made exclusively or partially of plastic. They come in various forms, including single-use or reusable plastic cups, bottles, bags, food containers, cosmetic containers, and many more. The history of plastic containers is relatively recent, with the first synthetic plastic being developed in the early 20th century. However, natural plastics such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac have been utilised since ancient times. The post-World War 2 period witnessed a surge in plastic production, replacing paper, glass, and metal in consumer packaging. Today, plastic packaging is prevalent in multiple sectors, including commercial, retail, household, tourism, and agriculture, with the food and beverage industries being major contributors to its use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discovery of plastic | 19th century |
| First plastic distilled from balsam tree | 1831 |
| First adhesive plastic tape | 1930 |
| Polyethylene invented | 1935 |
| Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) developed | 1940s |
| Plastic packaging widely adopted | Post-World War 2 |
| Plastic water bottles invented | Post-World War 2 |
| Plastic replaced traditional materials | Paper, glass, metal |
| Advantages of plastic | Low cost, lightweight, durable, mouldable, versatile |
| Disadvantages of plastic | Environmental concerns, difficult to dispose of |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic containers are a recent invention
The development of plastic containers can be attributed to the need for cheaper and more versatile alternatives to glass and metal materials. Plastic is more flexible and moldable, allowing brands to create unique containers that are also cost-effective. The convenience, low cost, and durability of plastics have led to their continuously increasing use, with the packaging industry heavily dependent on plastic containers or containers with some plastic content.
The history of plastic containers can be divided into several key periods. The first significant development came after World War I when plastics like polystyrene and polyamide became common in households. These plastics were derived from oil or natural gas, and their availability and affordability fueled mass consumption and diversification.
The next important milestone was after World War II, when the consumer market exploded with innovations in aluminium and plastics. Manufacturers reinvented packaging solutions, and plastic and metal cans became dominant in consumer packaging. Polyethylene, invented in 1950, played a crucial role in food packaging and garbage bags, while DuPont's cellophane, first commercially used in the 1950s and 1960s, revolutionized meat packaging by allowing customers to assess quality and manufacturers to control product appearance.
In the 1970s, Nathaniel Wyeth successfully invented a scalable method for molding PET (polyethylene terephthalate) into bottles, revolutionizing the beverage industry. Today, PET remains the most common plastic for water bottles due to its lightweight, strength, and moldability. While plastic containers have brought benefits, their environmental impact has become a significant concern, with plastic waste accumulating in landfills and oceans, leading to an increased focus on recycling and reusable containers.
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Plastic is the youngest packaging material
Plastic has become a ubiquitous packaging material across various industries, including commercial, retail, household, tourism, and agriculture. Its versatility, durability, and low cost have contributed to its widespread adoption. Plastic packaging can take on various forms, such as cups, bottles, bags, containers, tubes, and cosmetic containers.
The history of plastic packaging can be traced through several key innovations. In 1935, polyethylene (PE) was developed in England, marking a significant step towards the wider adoption of plastic packaging. However, it was DuPont's development of cellophane in 1924 that first introduced the concept of plastic packaging, even though its commercial use only began in the 1950s and 1960s.
The post-World War II era witnessed a boom in plastic packaging innovation. Materials like polystyrene and polyamide became commonplace in households. Plastic began to replace traditional materials such as paper, glass, and metal in consumer packaging due to its lower cost and ease of moulding. The development of polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) in the 1940s further solidified the role of plastic in packaging. Nathaniel Wyeth's invention of a scalable method for moulding PET into bottles in the 1970s revolutionised the beverage industry.
While plastic has become an integral part of packaging, its environmental impact has come under scrutiny. The challenge of disposing of plastic waste and the issue of plastic pollution have led to a growing emphasis on recycling and sustainable practices in the industry.
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Plastic replaced traditional materials
Plastic containers are made exclusively or partially of plastic. They include single-use or reusable plastic cups, plastic bottles, plastic bags, cosmetic containers, and various types of containers made of corrugated plastic. Plastic containers are also used in the packaging of goods in the commercial, retail, household, tourism, and agricultural sectors.
The world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in New York in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". However, the usage of plastics experienced significant growth in the late 19th century, thanks to the development of synthetic plastics. The initial prototypes of Parkesine were showcased at the London International Exhibition.
The success and dominance of plastics since the early 20th century have had major benefits for mankind, ranging from medical devices to lightweight construction materials. Plastic has replaced traditional materials like wood, paperboard, and metal for the manufacture of containers because of its price, moldability/formability, durability, lightweight, and low toxicity. The convenience and low cost of plastics are the main reasons for their continuously increasing use. Plastic packaging can keep food fresh for longer, prevent food waste, and provide consumers with a greater variety of food.
The entire packaging industry heavily depends on plastic containers or containers with some plastic content. Food storage nowadays relies mainly on plastic food storage containers. The pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries contributed the most to the use of plastic packaging products.
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Plastic's affordability and versatility
Plastic containers are made exclusively or partially of plastic. They include single-use or reusable plastic cups, plastic bottles, plastic bags, cosmetic containers, and various types of containers made of corrugated plastic. Plastic containers are used in the commercial, retail, household, tourism, and agricultural sectors.
The affordability and versatility of plastics have played a definitive role in delivering many of the socioeconomic advantages of modern life. Their production has outpaced that of almost every other material since the 1950s. The main reasons for their continuously increasing use are their convenience and low cost. Plastic packaging can keep food fresh for longer, prevent food waste, and provide consumers with a greater variety of food. Additionally, goods in plastic packaging can be easily transported and distributed. Plastic has replaced traditional materials like wood, paperboard, and metal for the manufacture of containers because of its price, moldability, formability, durability, and lightweight nature.
Plastics are made from any feedstock containing carbon and hydrogen. Fossil fuels are the preferred feedstock, but plastics are also made from renewable resources such as sugar and corn. They are very strong and tough, yet easily worked as a hot melt. They can be used across a wide range of temperatures and are chemical- and light-resistant. They are also highly durable and lightweight, making them very resource-efficient.
The development of modern plastics expanded in the first 50 years of the 20th century, with at least 15 new classes of polymers being synthesized. The success of plastics as a material has been substantial due to their versatility in use across a range of types and forms, including natural polymers, modified natural polymers, thermosetting plastics, thermoplastics, and biodegradable plastics.
The affordability of plastics is largely due to the availability of petrochemicals, which made them affordable after the First World War. The mass consumption and diversification of plastics fueled a surge in demand, propelling the growth of this emerging industry.
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Plastic's environmental impact
Plastic containers are made exclusively or partially of plastic. They include single-use plastic cups, plastic bottles, plastic bags, Tupperware, cosmetic containers, and various types of containers made of corrugated plastic. Plastic containers are used in the commercial, retail, household, tourism, and agricultural sectors.
The environmental impact of plastics is a growing concern. Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous in natural and built environments, with research showing that plastic pollution may take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. Once in the environment, plastic pollution can fragment into smaller pieces of plastic known as microplastics, which range in size from five millimeters to one nanometer. Nanoplastics are plastic particles smaller than one micrometer. Both microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs.
The ingestion of plastics by marine species is a significant issue, with more than 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments known to ingest plastics. Plastic pollution also poses a risk of entanglement and suffocation for marine life. In addition, microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in all sources of water, types of food, and human tissue. The health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on humans are still being studied, but initial research indicates potential links to chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and stroke.
The production, use, and disposal of plastics also have environmental and health effects. Plastic production contributes to climate change, with annual emissions related to plastic production in the EU amounting to around 13.4 million tonnes of CO2. In addition, the extraction and processing of raw materials for plastic production can release toxins, damaging sensory organs and impairing bodily systems and organs.
Efforts are being made to address plastic pollution, such as the EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan, which aims to reduce plastic litter at sea and microplastics released into the environment. However, the recycling of plastics remains challenging, with only about 9% of all the plastic ever produced being recycled. Overall, the widespread use of plastics has had a significant impact on the environment and human health, and addressing this issue requires a combination of policy interventions, technological advancements, and changes in consumer behaviour.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic containers were first made in the 1900s, with the first plastic water bottles being created by Enoch Ferngren and William Kopitke in the United States.
Before plastic, containers were made from natural materials such as woven grasses, animal organs, and hollowed logs. In ancient times, containers were made from valuable materials such as silver and gold.
Plastic containers became popular due to their convenience and low cost. Plastic is more flexible and mouldable than glass and other materials, and it is also durable, lightweight, and cheap to produce.
There are many types of plastic containers, including single-use and reusable plastic cups, bottles, bags, tubes, clamshells, cosmetic containers, and intermediate bulk containers.
