Packaging is a very relevant topic during the holiday season, not only in regards to pretty wrapping paper for gifts to be opened Christmas morning and the vacuum formed plastic used to package gifts before the are wrapped and put under the tree, but also in the sense of Christmas aftermath. Most homes decorate for this winter season in excessive amounts, with lights, holly, garlands, wreaths, nutcrackers and a plethora of other decorative pieces to make their homes and businesses feel festive. However, what is done with all this holiday cheer the rest of the year? It is packaged up in plastic packaging and corrugated boxes to be kept in attics or basements. This means the state of these packaging materials must be good or next year won’t be so festive.

The types of plastic bins that are best suited to the storage of personal items are not the only plastic packaging products around. These plastic bins are, however, very popular for storage since they are air and water tight and can not be gnawed through by mice like corrugated boxes can. They also come in a variety of colors and sizes, which makes organization and recognition much easier.

Other types of plastic packaging include a variety of commercial sales packaging, such as the sealed plastic bubbles achieved by vacuum forming that keep so many electronic and sanitary products safe till they are taken home. Plastic packaging also includes the plastic envelopes, plastic wrap and plastic bins or boxes used to ship products from one location to another. It is a category of items that therefore has products produced from vacuum forming as well as other manufacturing processes, including a vast variety of thermoplastics based on what shape and consistency is desired. Examples of plastics utilized in plastic packaging are polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyvinyl chloride.