Definition of packaging types
Below you can see which packaging definitions are relevant in order to place the producer responsibility.
All packaging is covered by the producer responsibility, except for packaging which is covered by the deposit and take-back system.
Packaging: All products of any kind and material used for packing, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods.
Packaging designed in such a way that at the point of sale it constitutes a sales unit for the final user or consumer.
For example, a shampoo bottle, a meat tray, a blister pack for pills or a bucket with e.g. paint.
Packaging designed in such a way that at the point of sale it constitutes an assembly of a certain number of sales units, whether sold as such to the final user or consumer, or whether it is used only to fill the shelves at the point of sale. The packaging can be removed from the item without changing the item's properties.
E.g. plastic or cardboard for assembling a number of beverages or display for setting up sales units in stores.
Transport packaging is packaging designed in such a way that the handling and transport of a number of sales units or multipack packaging is facilitated, so that damage caused by physical handling or transport can be avoided. Transport packaging does not include road, rail, sea and air freight containers.
For example, generic cardboard boxes, pallets and stretch film.
Packaging that has been invented, designed and placed on the market with the aim of going through a number of trips or cycles during its lifetime by being refilled or reused for the same purpose for which it was invented.
Reusable packaging is packaging that is taken back and used several times for the same purpose, possibly via a deposit or take-back scheme.
For example, reusable cups which are collected, washed and used again and boxes for milk or beer which are taken back and used several times.
Primary production packaging is an article designed and intended to be used as packaging for unprocessed products of primary production.
Primary production is breeding or cultivation of primary products, including harvesting, milking and livestock production before slaughter. The term also includes hunting, fishing and harvesting wild products.
Packaging, designed and intended to be filled at the point of sale to the end-user.
For example, disposable cups made of cardboard or plastic that are refilled at a cafe (point of sale).
Service packaging also means beverage containers and cups for beverages that are single-use plastic products sold empty and that are not designed and intended to be filled at the point of sale.
For example, a collection of disposable plastic cups or plates which are sold empty in the retail trade.
That is, a store that e.g. sells a roll of single-use plastic cups to consumers for use at home.