Whether you are a professional, a novice, or just someone who loves to eat food, there are several different reasons to choose a blister pack for your food product. You may also want to consider some of the environmental impacts of choosing a blister pack. You can find more information about the history of blister packs and their environmental impact in the following paragraphs.
History of blister packaging
Despite the fact that blister packaging isn’t exactly an exciting topic, it is a crucial part of delivering pharmaceuticals. It prevents the misuse of drugs, and allows for easier dispensing and storage. Moreover, it is tamper proof.
The history of blister packaging can be traced back to the 1960s, when a new technique called blister packaging was introduced to the pharmaceutical industry. Its purpose was to reduce the number of dispensing errors. It also made it easier for consumers to retrieve single doses of medications.
This technique consisted of a plastic blister that was stuck to the front of a cardboard box. The back of the box was easier to remove. The plastic was a great way to protect the product, while also helping to keep it clean.
Blister packaging was introduced to the pharmaceutical industry because of its ability to prevent the misuse of drugs. This type of packaging can be used for drugs, foods, and cosmetics. The most common application is for tablets. However, it is also used for over-the-counter products.
Types of blister packaging
Several types of blister packaging are available on the market. This packaging method is best for packaging products that have a high risk of breakage. Products like electronics and medicines can benefit from this type of packaging.
The most common material used for blister packaging is PVC. PVC is a relatively inexpensive material. It also has good barrier properties. PVC can be formed with a mold. The material is then affixed to a card using pressure. However, PVC has negative environmental effects.
Another type of blister packaging is clamshell packaging. It is a type of packaging with a plastic back. Clamshell packaging is usually used for heavy products. There are also clamshells with a button to close the packaging. It is sometimes used as a security package.
A third type of blister packaging is the slide blister. This blister is a variation of plastic and paper blister packaging. The slide blister has larger flanges on the outside. It also has no flange on the back.
Environmental impact of blister packaging
Despite the advancements in packaging technology, the environmental impact of blister packaging is still a major challenge. Pharmaceutical companies are working to reduce their carbon footprint while also keeping their products safe.
Fortunately, there are many eco-friendly options for blister packaging that offer similar protections as PVC. These include paper, which is less transparent than plastic packaging. In addition, there are more environmentally friendly options for aluminium blister packaging.
In a National Geographic article, 91% of plastic packaging is not recycled. In order to reduce this figure, major manufacturers are working to develop new plastic packaging alternatives. These include recycled PET and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
In the UK, a plastics pact is in place that aims to ensure that 100% of plastic packaging is recyclable, compostable, or reused by 2025. One of the pact’s key priorities is to eliminate PVC from landfills.
The UK Plastics Pact also wants to eliminate problematic single-use packaging. One of the initiatives it is implementing is a plastic-free blister packaging program. Henkel will begin introducing paper-based blister packs in June 2022.
Preventing counterfeiting
Using a combination of different security features to authenticate pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical packaging is a powerful way to combat counterfeiting. The counterfeiting business continues to pose a serious threat to the health and safety of patients.
The counterfeiting business has generated a global trade of counterfeit and pirated goods that generates billions of dollars in illicit proceeds each year. In March 2020, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a report stating that the counterfeiting business is “widespread, threatening public health, and is estimated to cost global markets more than $200 billion per year.”
The pharmaceutical industry has been at the forefront of anticounterfeiting efforts for years. The European Commission’s Falsified Medicines Directive requires that pharmaceutical manufacturers implement security measures to protect consumers from counterfeit medicines. The Falsified Medicines Directive requires that pharmaceutical packaging include a unique identifier, a product code, and a batch designation. These features are usually custom-made to meet brand owner needs.
