Think of green packaging

Abstract: This article discusses in detail the development trend of green packaging, as well as the methods and technologies for implementing green packaging.

introduction

At present, in economically developed countries, the use of consumer products with environmental protection has become more and more a conscious behavior of people, and consumption is not just an individual behavior. It is closely linked with environmental protection. Advocating "green packaging" is a trend that has emerged under this concept.

First, the necessity of developing green packaging

Under the impact of the environmental protection tide in the world today, the environment and development have become major issues of concern to the international community. The continuous growth and development of the packaging industry in China has enabled the packaging materials to have a broad space for development. Many materials such as paper, plastic, metal and glass are widely used in various packaging. However, while packaging brings convenience and benefits to people, it also causes serious damage to the environment in which human beings live. On the one hand, packaging consumes a lot of energy and resources. On the other hand, increasing packaging waste has become second only to humans. The fourth pollution source of water pollution, marine lake pollution and air pollution. Based on the sustainable development strategy, it is of special significance to develop green packaging materials and develop green packaging extensively.

Second, the development trend of green packaging

1. Green packaging concept

The so-called green packaging refers to packaging products in the process of production and use of the human body and the environment without harm, and can be recycled or can be naturally degraded moderate packaging. Generally considered to have four aspects, namely: the most provincial material, the least waste, and save resources and energy; easy recycling and recycling; waste combustion produces new energy without secondary pollution; packaging materials are the least and can Decompose on your own without polluting the environment. At present, in solving the relationship between packaging and the environment, we must not only consider how to deal with packaging waste, but should take into account that the packaging products needed by people in all activities are to consume natural resources and energy, generate waste and affect The global environment as a price. Therefore, the goal of packaging is to maximize the protection of natural resources, minimize the generation of waste and minimal environmental pollution. Among the four types of packaging materials, paper, plastic, metal, and glass, paper products have the fastest growth, paper and plastic are the cheapest, raw materials are widely available, and are not as fragile as glass, and they are not as heavy as iron and are easy to carry. Therefore, paper and plastic packaging are widely used in daily life. However, paper products are prone to decay and can either recycle recycled paper or use plant fertilizers, reduce air pollution, and purify the environment. Therefore, compared with the other three major plastic, metal, and glass packagings, and through quantitative evaluation by LCA technology, paper packaging is recognized as one of the most promising green packaging materials.

2. Green Packaging Trend

Countries that promoted “green packaging” in the early stage mainly started with packaging materials. For example, Germany formulated the “recycling economy law” to promote the recycling of packaging materials; Denmark took the lead in implementing the “green tax” system; many countries require manufacturers and importers. Responsibility with retailers to recycle and remanufacture packaging materials. At present, there are paper packaging, biodegradable plastic packaging, and edible packaging materials that are popular in the domestic and international markets and the “green packaging” that makes consumers most popular. These packages are all conducive to environmental protection, and their waste can be recycled. In China, edible packaging materials have been used for the preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables. In this century, people can grow and harvest biologically degradable plastic products like wheat and potatoes. With the rapid development of science and technology and people’s increasing concern for environmental protection, green packaging materials are developing with more excellent functionality.

(1) The most widely used green packaging material is a paper packaging material. At present, paper packaging materials are developing toward the following functions:

- Anti-corrosion: paper made of cristobalite and activated carbon can be used to make corrugated cartons for transporting flowers, which can absorb hydrogen sulfide that causes spoilage of flowers;

——Antibacterial: Injecting sterile gas when manufacturing natural pulp, this kind of paper has the function of preventing bacteria from invading and can be used for the packaging of medical instruments;

- Anti-oxidation: The paper made of weak base beating can protect the paintings and books from being eroded in the acidic environment;

- Moisture proof: Paper coated with wax can improve moisture resistance. It can be used to make rainproof bags and anti-bags for fruit trees.

Deodorant: The paper made of porous inorganic materials and organic flavonols can absorb ammonia and other odors;

——Heat-resistance: The paperboard made of specially treated pulp has good heat resistance and water vapor absorption properties and can be used as microwave food packaging box;

——Refractory: It is made of aluminum hydroxide mixed with natural pulp; or it is made of phosphorized pulp and glass fiber and has good flame-proof effect;

——Acid resistance: The paper made by mixing special pulp and additives has excellent shading and acid resistance;

——Oil-resistance: The inner layer of the board is treated with oil-resistance to prevent the oil from penetrating. The surface of the board can be printed by the general paint treatment. This kind of board is mainly used for the packaging of oily foods.

——Water resistance: 100% natural pulp is mixed with paper made of latex resin, which has excellent water resistance, folding and friction resistance;

- Sensitive to water: Paper treated with a special coating will make the white paper transparent immediately after absorbing moisture. The contents can be clearly seen through the package without disassembling the package.

——Preservation: The paper made of natural pulp after being chemically treated with absorbent resin is suitable for fresh-keeping packaging;

Silence: The low-density paper made of non-carcinogenic asbestos fibers, waste paper, rags, etc., has excellent sound absorption, absorption, heat insulation, and cushioning effects;

(2) The potential of biodegradable plastic packaging materials is unlimited, and China has included it in the priority areas of development. At present, industrialized degradable plastic packaging materials have photodegradation, light/biodegradation, biodegradation, biodegradation, and the like. Among them, the most important is biodegradation, which can be divided into completely biodegradable plastics and biodegradable degradable plastics. The former refers to the fact that the molecular structure of plastics can be completely decomposed by microorganisms or enzymes into simple compounds, while the latter refers to plastics composed of natural and synthetic polymers. At present, the combination method widely used in the packaging field is based on blending, and its preferred substrates are starch and cellulose.

Third, how to develop green packaging

The development of green packaging can be considered from the following aspects:

1. Vigorously grow and develop green packaging materials

(1) To rapidly increase paper packaging and improve the quality and grade of paper packaging materials, the key is to increase the proportion of wood pulp. For this purpose, the integrated development of forest, pulp and paper should be implemented as soon as possible.

(2) Actively promote the development of metal packaging, so that glass packaging towards high-grade, lightweight development.

(3) Balanced development of plastic packaging, implementation of development in parallel with environmental protection, where alternative substitutes are encouraged, degradable plastics should be used for disposable plastic packaging that is difficult to recycle or economically uneconomical.

(4) Develop natural plant fiber materials, vigorously develop China's abundant reserves of bamboo packaging; encourage the development of reed, bamboo and bagasse pulping and papermaking, improve pulp molding quality and other product quality using plant fibers as raw materials, such as corn stalks Produce biodegradable plastic film for raw materials, and use starch and plant fibers as raw materials to produce expanded “foam” materials. (to be continued)