Tertiary Packaging

Companies will use tertiary packaging when storing and shipping goods.

Tertiary packaging is one of three packaging types used by companies. About nine percent of a product's price comes from packaging, according to a University of Florida report. Tertiary packing materials include brown cartons, pallets and shrink-wrap.

Facts

Consumers do not often see tertiary packaging in stores. Warehouses, distributors and freight companies are the common users of these materials. Containers and packages are the largest portion of municipal solid waste, approximately 32 percent by weight or 30 percent by volume, according to the EPA.

Purpose

The transportation and protection of goods are the primary purposes for tertiary packaging. Companies box and shrink-wrap pallets of goods for easy transporting and to maximize limited storage space. Tertiary packaging protects goods in transport from foreign materials, spoilage and theft.

Considerations

Some tertiary packaging is disposable; some is reusable. For example, shrink-wrap is typically a one-time use material. Boxes may or may not be reusable depending on their sturdiness. Pallets are often reusable since they are constructed of wood materials that can last for some time.

References

• University of Florida: Role of Packaging in Society and the Environment