Mapping Trend

Literature Review
After refer to the articles like, packaging materials, the important of using the right packaging, WSYR-Company’s Runs Own Recycling Centre, packaging, repacking, Packaging (plastics)- Market-Report 2003, packaging and packaging waste, overviews of the European Union activities, wood packaging material, environmental issues of PVC and so on, we have been done a conclusion.

At 22 May 1989, In United States, organisations and companies have conducted a campaign to give plastic foam and other plastics a second life because the plastic refuse give adversely impacted to the environment. They feel that in the future, Mounds of plastic-foam cups and empty soda bottles will clutter the roadsides and choke waterways. Communities are forced to sensitive in the environmental issues. Thus, Waste Management Organization forms a joint venture with several companies to build the country's largest plastic-recycling operation. Besides that, certain parties feel that the biodegradable and recyclable plastic are costly than the normal plastic.

As with many environmental efforts, the greatest obstacle to plastic recycling is old-fashioned laziness and indifference. On top of that, some firms argue that degradable, not recycled, plastic are a better solution to the waste problem. As a conclusion, everyone agreed that a serious solution to the problem of plastic waste is going to be expensive. Therefore, we should think the best solution to save the environment.

At 2 November 1990, McDonald wants to change plastic wrap and container to paper packaging. Thus, they should face with various criticisms from many people and organization. Then they should be prepared for, to respond to public pressure for a cleaner environment by announcing that it would extend its limited plastics-recycling program to all of its 8,500 restaurants nationwide. McDonald’s also feel that customers demand are change now. In the past, convenience was the most important attribute of a package, while now customers are sensitive to the environmental issues related to material packaging. Before McDonald’s move to the paper packaging, they had established a joint task force with the Environmental Defense Fund to study how to deal with the company's solid-waste problem and also aware that public concerns about the environment and solid waste have been growing. As a result they wake up with 3 important hierarchies, which are reduced, reuse and recycle.

Packaging is a large and important industry in UK and European. Before year 1994, plastics are the second important packing materials. At 20 December 1994, European Parliament and Council Directive have been announcing a report on packaging and packaging waste. The objectives of this report are to prevent the formation of packaging waste and encourage the member state to develop packing reuse system. People start to realize the packaging they using now is the cause of environment polluted.

At 1 November 1998, United Parcel Service (UPS) overnight shipping packaging project that minimize the environmental impacts of overnight shipping packaging. The packaging changes include nearly doubling the amount of post-consumer recycled material in the UPS box, and using at least 80 percent post-consumer recycled material in the Express Letter. UPS also introduce post-consumer recycled material into UPS' plastic PAK and reducing each PAK's weight by almost 10 percent.

At 26 July 2000, a green paper about The Environmental Issues of PVC has been published. It touches on the effect of PVC on human health and the environment. At that time, environmentally-free materials which are reusable, recycling or environment biodiversity are encouraged using to replace plastic.

December 2001, the European Union's executive arm issued new proposed rules which would increase recycling of packaging from the current 25-45 percent minimum to a target of 55-70 percent, depending on the type of packaging. Paper and board, in particular, will have a target of 55 percent. The new rules now go to the member states and the European Parliament for approval. According to Recycling Policy News Briefs, requirements often require manufacturers to determine if their packaging is recoverable, recyclable compostable, reusable and source reduced.

At 18 August 2002, Cargill Dow, a joint venture by the agricultural giant (Cargill) and the chemical company (Dow), is manufacturing biodegradable and recyclable plastics from corn sugars. The company already makes environmentally friendly packaging for Sony products and pillow stuffing for Pacific Coast Feather.

In year 2004, Plastic combustion has been criticized by green organizations in the world because it is contained dioxin, one of the dangerous chemical that can affect human life. A lot of organization started arguing on this issue to find the best solution. This is the list of the whole activities:

1. Greenpeace society have been organized campaign to ban the production and using of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) in the world.
2. As a reaction, the company of plastic industries conduct a study to prove the public that there is no connection between plastic combustion and production of dioxin. Furthermore, US have been introduced the Wood Packaging Material (WPM) Program. Under the WPM program, an agency monitors the conformance of approved wood packaging facilities to the ALSC WPM program and the International Standard of Plant Management (ISPM) No. 15, "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". The ALSC WPM program operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Until now, many countries in this world have been adopting regulations concerning import requirements for wood packaging.
   

At 12 January 2007, zero waste idea has been raised. Zero waste is the idea that design, produce, consume and recycle products without throwing anything away. Wal-Mart is one of the companies that involved in zero waste idea. It is clear when Wal-Mart’s waste reduction efforts compass corn-based (rather than plastic) food packaging because it can be more easily recycled. It has shrunk the size of Sam’s Club water bottles. It is also recycling plastic. Wal-Mart is putting pressure on its 60,000 suppliers to reduce packaging of all kinds. Right now, companies that make packaging have little incentive to cut back since they don’t pay for disposal. The world’s largest retailer may be able to change that.

In March 2007, many companies start to apply sustainable packaging. There are some companies that implement sustainable packaging like General Mills and Estee Lauder. General Mills recently reduced its Hamburger Helper package size by 20%, reducing the cost of materials and cutting out 500 distribution trucks each year. The company also reduced the amount of metal used in Progresso soup cans, cutting out some 350 tons of steel used per year. Nevertheless, Estee Lauder is pushing to use 80% recycled content on any matte or satin-anodized aluminum used in packaging. According to Delfausse, virgin aluminum requires 90% more energy (and therefore more dollars) to process than recycled aluminum.

At 19 November 2007, Wal-Mart starts to apply Seventh Generation Sustainability framework in their organization. As evidence, Wal-Mart spends 500 million dollars a year on initiatives like opening eco-friendly stores, increasing the fuel efficiency of its trucks, and red Million dollars a year on initiatives like opening eco-friendly stores, increasing the fuel efficiency of its trucks, and reducing cardboard packaging. The main focus on Seventh Generation Framework is the idea that decisions should be considered for their impact on the seventh generation to come and it inspired by the laws of Iroquois. Thus, they believe on their environment motto, “Conserve, Reduce and Renewable” to provide eco-friendly products to consumers.