Glossary

Goods Index

Polyethylene terephthalate — a thermoplastic commonly used for food packaging and water bottles. It is versatile, durable and easily recycled around the world (rPET). Also used to produce polyester fabric.

Paper can be coated in a variety of natural or chemical materials to achieve specific finishes or structural qualities (weight, rigidity, glossiness, smoothness).

Coated paper

Polyurethane — a thermoset that is commonly produced as foam (acoustic panels or foam mattresses), but also available as a hard-wearing solid plastic (shopping cart wheels or surface sealants). As it's part of the thermoset family, it cannot be reshaped by heat and is therefore difficult to recycle. 

A commercially available form of plastic that is small in size and intended to be melted for thermo production techniques. Granules look like short, hollow pipes.

Plastic granules

E-mark can be found on some prepacked products (food, drinks, cosmetics, cleaning) in Europe. Its use indicates that the prepackage has complied with the relevant European laws.

Estimated sign

A pulp moulding process that is lower in cost and produces pulp forms with larger wall thicknesses (2-10mm), great for padding.

Thick-wall pulp moulding

Thin plastics are commercially available in rolls. These can be small plastic wraps for domestic use, or massive cartridges that fit into production machinery.

Plastic rolls

Ground plastic pieces — often created from cutting up existing plastic objects to create small plastic shavings that are easily melted and formed into new objects.

Plastic flakes

Magnets are made from various ferromagnetic metals, and can vary in strength depending on their composition. They are sometimes used in premium packaging as a closure method, and therefore require consideration toward easy material sorting if the packaging is designated for recycling.

Magnets

A form of pulp that is specifically made from the waste material in sugarcane production. It can be pressed into paper or moulded for use in packaging. It can be a lower-cost option as it is considered a waste product.

Bagasse

A hardwood commonly used to make shipping pallets.

An organization that works throughout the entire forest supply chain to promote good practice in the forest and to ensure that forest-based products are produced with respect for the highest ecological, social and ethical standards.

PEFC

The official ecolabel of the Nordic countries.

Nordic Swan Ecolabel

A hard-wearing softwood sometimes used to make shipping pallets and crates.

Pine

Plastics that soften when heated, and harden when cooled. They can be reshaped many times over, and even melted down into liquids for moulding purposes. Most plastics used in packaging are thermoplastics.

Thermoplastics

A type of foam that has an open cell structure, similar to the Eiffel Tower's. This allows moisture and gas to pass through.

Open cell foams

Foam made from fungi grown on natural fibres such as hemp or flax. The final product is comparable to Styrofoam (EPS) in drop and compression tests, but has a lengthier manufacturing process. The fungi currently requires about one week grow time before the final form is baked and ready to use. This is not a problem when specifying standard parts like corner bumpers, but can be problematic for bespoke projects on tight timelines.

Mycelium foam

High-density polyethylene — a heavyweight variant of PE (polyethylene) that has a higher density chemical composition, making it more suitable for applications that require material strength — like deodorant containers (with screwed on lids) and water pipes (with lots of pressure). Can be translucent but not clear.

HDPE

The international symbol indicating that the material used in the product is considered safe for food contact. It’s visualized as a wine glass and a fork.

Food Safe

Glue is commonly used for binding materials or adding labels to packaging. There are many products out there, all with varying qualities (hold strength) and levels of toxicity. In general, it is best practice that glues are water soluble in low temperatures (below 60°C), to aid in removal during recycling.

Glue

A recessed detail in the surface of card or paper. 

Debossing

A label indicating that the products are made using a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC controlled wood. 

FSC MIX

Post consumer recycled — a consumer material that has been recycled and produced into new consumer goods or packaging. It's important to understand that recycling does not always mean circularity — often post consumer materials are recycled in closed loop systems; like burning material to produce energy.

Polypropylene — typically a designer favourite for being slightly stronger and more heat resistant than PE (polyethylene). It is commonly used for household products like pens or cooking utensils, and many types of packaging bottles and films. Another benefit is its ability to do integrated hinging (like the lid of Tic Tac's container). Easily recycled around the world and a common food-safe material.

A label indicating that the products have been verified as being made from 100% recycled content (either post-consumer or pre-consumer reclaimed materials). 

FSC Recycled

Commonly known as cardboard — flute is a family of fibre-based boards that have a layered structure and corrugated centre. This corrugation gives the material strength, and can vary in both thickness and density. Flute is available in many forms, and standard thicknesses can vary depending on the manufacturer. Exact  thickness needs to be taken into account before production.

BE flute — 4.0–5.0mm thick (double corrugated centre)

AB flute — 8.0–9.0mm thick (double corrugated centre)

Flute

A label indicating that all the materials used in the products are sourced from forests that have been audited by an independent third party to confirm they are managed according to FSC’s rigorous social and environmental standards. 

FSC 100%

Made from pressing and drying pulp, paper is a solid sheet of cellulose fibres with a broad application of uses. It is commonly made from wood fibres, but can alternatively be made of bamboo, sugar cane, textile, etc.

Paper

The letters ‘CE’ appear on many products traded on the extended Single Market in the European Economic Area (EEA). They signify that products sold in the EEA have been assessed to meet high safety, health, and environmental protection requirements.

Computer Numerical Control Machining — a two-axis machine that uses rotational cutting tools or specialty knives to cut sheets of material. CNC machines can be calibrated or custom built to suit a variety of materials, from paper sheets to marble slabs.

CNC Machining

PU (polyurethane) foam often comes in sheet form and is die-cut during production. As a form of industrial recycling or up-cycling, off-cuts are bonded back into large composite sheets. Up-cycled PU foam looks like multi-coloured terrazzo, as it is often built from many different colours.

Up-cycled PU foam

Plastic is commercially available as blocks in various sizes. These are well suited for production methods like CNC machining.

Plastic blocks

The Universal Recycling Symbol is an internationally recognized symbol used to designate recyclable materials. The recycling symbol is in the public domain and is not a trademark.

Universal Recycling Symbol

Plastics that behave like cement — once they have set, it's not possible to heat them up and change their shape. As a result, they cannot be easily recycled. Examples include epoxy and silicone.

Thermoset plastics

Plastics that can degrade to water or CO2 through industrial processing. They are praised for having positive impact on the planet, but it's important to know this relies on cities having the necessary infrastructure. No plastic as of yet can degrade naturally or without human assistance.

Biodegradable plastic

Grams per Square Meter — paper with 100 gsm is often lighter and thinner than 400 gsm. GSM can also correspond to rigidity and strength, but this is not always the case as some composites / laminates can break the rule.

Foam made from cornstarch. This is a relatively new alternative to Styrofoam (EPS)  that performs comparably in drop tests and as thermal insulation. It decomposes in water, and is said to have no negative impact on the marine environment. It does however, require a protective layer (commonly plastic) to avoid premature decomposition when exposed to moisture — perhaps this is worth while when considering overall plastic reduction.

Cornstarch foam

Asthma Allergy Nordic is a collaboration between the asthma and allergy organisations in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The label is making it easier for customers to find gentle products selected with care.

Asthma Allergy Nordic

The EU Ecolabel is a label of environmental excellence that is awarded to products and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their life-cycle: from raw material extraction to production, distribution and disposal. 

Ecolabel

A lightweight, soft and non-rusting metal that is commonly used in packaging. Applications include foils or formed objects like cans and trays. Easily recyclable.

Aluminium

A standard used primarily in North and Latin America. This includes paper such as American Letter (8.5 x 11 inches, or 216 x 279mm).

North American paper standard

The packaging is produced with renewable energy from sources like water, wind or sun. Reduces the demand for fossil fuel.

Renewable energy

a middle tier process that produces thinner walled forms with better precision, like coffee cup carriers.

Transfer moulded pulp

Green Dot is a non-profit company that provides financing for recycling of products around the world. The symbol doesn’t mean that a product itself is recyclable, but that the company who produced the product has have paid a recycling fee to Green Dot.

Green Dot

Bisphenol A — a thermosetting plastic known for its use as a coating inside of food cans. Its use is controversial because of disputed health issues.

A softwood commonly used for producing disposable wooden cutlery and plates.

Birch

Polystyrene — among the most common thermoplastics used worldwide. Applications include food containers (yoghurt and sour cream), gardening pots and CD cases. PS has good visual clarity, hardness and recyclability.

Polyethylene — among the most common thermoplastics used worldwide. Applications include plastic bags, packing films and detergent bottles. PE comes in many variations that are tailored for specific use (see HDPE and LDPE).

provides information about the origin of the materials used to make the finished and labeled product.

Polyvinyl Chloride — a thermoplastic primarily used for industrial components and pipes. Not common in packaging.

The most common black colourant used in plastics. NIR-technology (near infrared) can’t read carbon black because it doesn’t reflect light — making it difficult to sort in recycling facilities.

Carbon Black

Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries.

Fairtrade

A pulp moulding process that is the most modern, achieving smooth surfaces and precise details, idea when details really matter.

Thermoformed pulp

A set of international standards issued by ISO(International Organization for Standardization) that help organizations ensure they meet customer and other stakeholder needs within statutory and regulatory requirements related to a product or service.

ISO Certifications

A foam produced from LDPE (low-density polyethylene). Its commonly used as padding for tech and lighting products, as it can sustain multiple impacts and hold shape. LDPE foam usually comes in sheets that are cut and slotted onto products to form bumpers. Unlike EPS (white styrofoam), it is curb-side recyclable in most countries.

LDPE foam

A new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.

Certified B Corporation

A series of small holes stamped into a material that aid in tearing. Patterns can vary.

Perforation

A metal commonly used in packaging for cans and containers. Provides long shelf life. Easily recyclable.

Steel

Low-density polyethylene. A lightweight variant of PE (

 that has a lower density chemical composition, making it more suitable for applications that require material malleability — like plastic bags or snap-on lids. It has good tear resistance. Can be translucent but not clear.

LDPE

The tidyman symbol is present on many packaged items and is a reminder to the customer to dispose of the packaging in an appropriate manner. This does not mean that the item is recyclable.

Tidyman

Polypropylene can be produced as a thin film, commonly used for packaging labels, plastic wraps and surface coatings.

PP foil

Polyvinyl Acetate — a thermoplastic adhesive known as white glue, wood glue, school glue, etc.

PVA glue

Polyurethane foam — a thermoset foam that is commonly produced as acoustic panels or foam mattresses. It's a lightweight, open cell material that can be moulded and is great for protection within packaging. Difficult to recycle, but can be sourced as an industrially up-cycled material.

PU foam

Paper made from bamboo shoots (a grass) instead of traditional wood fibres.

Bamboo paper

The process of combining two or more flat materials into one. Generally this is done by applying an adhesive to one material, and gradually pressing the other onto it until they are bonded. An example is laminating paper and PP film. 

Material lamination

Commonly used in packaging for jars and bottles — glass is generally considered a heavy material when comparing strength to weight ratio. It has great value in recycling chains and is thought of as a more environmentally friendly solution when compared to plastics.

Glass

Plastics made from renewable, non-fossil sources like sugar cane or corn. Although their origin is renewable, these plastics share similar properties to their fossil-based relatives, and can be equally problematic pollutants for the planet. They represent a step in the right direction, but still require strong lifecycle management.

Bio-plastics

A manufacturing process that uses a form (called a die) to stamp out shapes from sheet materials (paper, cardboard, thin metal or plastics). Most cardboard boxes are manufactured with some kind of die cutting process. A light-weight, manual example of this would be a standard office hole punch.

Die cutting

Plastics particles smaller than 0.001 millimetres.

Nano plastic

A type of foam that has a surface based structure, similar to air pockets in bread. This restricts moisture and gas from passing through them.

Closed cell foams

1% for the Planet is a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions through annual memberships and everyday actions. Your donation is 1% of annual sales or salary.

1% for the Planet

Made from mixing two or more materials to create one optimised material. The goal being to improve qualities such as lightness, stiffness and/or strength. Composites can be difficult to recycle — examples include fibreglass, chipboard and reinforced concrete.

Composite materials

Polylactic acid — a bio-thermoplastic commonly used in food packaging and disposable tableware. It is also a standard material in 3D printing.

Bark / tissue that grows on a specific species of oak tree, dubbed the cork oak. It is a renewable resource that can be harvested every ten years (therefore harvested in rotation to allow for steady extraction of resources). Examples include bottle stoppers and bespoke containers or trays.

Cork

Manufacturing that relies on manual labour to assemble products or packaging. This is much more common than people usually assume.

Hand assembly

The packaging is produced close to the market it’s sold in. Contributes to less transportation and more local jobs. Bonus if the product is also produced locally.

Local production

A commercially available form of plastic that is small in size and intended to be melted for thermo production techniques. Pellets are perfectly spherical and used for higher precision machinery.

Plastic pellets

Recycled cotton has emerging value in packaging when used as a padding material or thermal insulator. Sourcing can be relatively inexpensive because of the abundance of cotton resources within the textile industry. The drawback however, is that it requires a protective layer (commonly plastic) to avoid becoming soggy when exposed to moisture — perhaps this is worth while when considering overall plastic reduction.

Recycled cotton

The packaging is produced with reduced amount of water. Packaging made from paper and cardboard are often water intensive.

Reduction of water

A process in paper making that yields highly smooth sheets. The hot-press process has a similar effect to household irons, and forces pulp fibres to uniformly bind into sheet form.

Hot-pressed paper

Banana leaves, for example, are an early packaging material and still used today in a variety of forms. They are common in food packaging, and can be used fresh or dried and formed.

Plant leaves

Lines that are pressed into a material, without cutting it. This compression creates a a weak spot that is prone to bending, making the material easier to fold in precise ways.

Crease

A process in papermaking that yields rougher, more textured sheets. The cold-press process shapes pulp into sheets without heat, allowing its fibres to bind together while better maintaining their individual shape and volume. Cold-pressed paper generally has better texture.

Cold-pressed paper

Made from layering two or more materials to create one optimised material. For instance, adhering plastic film to cardboard provides the rigidity of cardboard with the water resistance of plastic. Laminates can be difficult to recycle — examples include coated paper or engineered flooring.

Laminated materials

A raised detail in the surface of card or paper. Trick to remember — E for elevated.

Embossing

Paper is generally made from a mixture of plant fibres that are pressed into flat sheets. Depending on how this pressing is carried out, it will result in paper with extremely flat and blended fibres, or alternatively paper with a lot of texture. Paper tooth refers to this texture. Cold-press paper general yields stronger tooth.

Paper tooth

A standard used around the majority of the world, excluding North and Latin America. All paper sizes share the same aspect ratio. This includes paper such as A4 (210 x 297mm).

International paper standard

Plastic particles smaller than five millimetres.

Micro plastic

Laser cutting

The Norwegian symbols that explain where and how packaging should be sorted.

Source Sorting Symbols

Expanded polystyrene — a low-cost, lightweight and robust padding material commonly known as Styrofoam. Although it does well sustaining impacts and holding shape, it's not recyclable. Relevant applications today are usually limited to packaging for heavy and fragile products.

A fibre-based mixture that has a similar appearance to porridge. It is generally made from water and chemical or plant additives including fibres from wood or alternative sources like bamboo, sugar cane, textiles, etc. It can be pressed into sheets of paper, or moulded into paper-based products like egg cartons.

Pulp

Plastic is commercially available as sheets in various thicknesses. These are well suited for production methods like die or laser cutting and vacuum forming.