With the rapid development of economy and the improvement of people's consumption level, commodity packaging has become an indispensable part of its production process. Commodity packaging integrates materials science, engineering technology and aesthetic design into a flourishing sunrise industry, marking the social economy. And the prosperity of trade. Modern commodity packaging has undergone multi-phase development and has entered a new phase of green packaging. Packaging materials that play an important role in packaging projects have also evolved from traditional natural plants, ceramics, etc. into four major packaging materials today, mainly paper, glass, plastics and metals. A wide range of product packaging not only gives people a pleasing visual impact, but more importantly reflects the concept of green packaging. At the same time, the recycling of packaging waste that is increasing day by day will directly affect the implementation of the “green packaging” system project.

According to the research findings of world experts and scholars [1], “green packaging” must cover two layers of meaning: 1) The entire packaging process will not cause pollution and damage to the ecological environment and human health; 2) The packaging materials used must be renewable Sustainable development material. According to the two conditions, packaging materials must be taken from nature and return to nature to form a true green cycle, enabling humans to enjoy the wonderful feeling brought about by modern and exquisite commodity packaging, while also having a good living environment and Lasting supply of resources.

Green packaging began in the last century, the proliferation of white pollution, but the governance of white pollution is not to curb the development of the packaging industry, but to promote the rational use of packaging materials, type and quantity, and the effective recycling of packaging waste.

1 Current status of packaging materials in China

The most prominent feature of green packaging materials is that the materials themselves must be harmless to the human body, have no pollution to the ecological environment, and must be easy to recycle, or they can return to nature through environmental degradation. The creation is delicate, and natural plant packaging materials exist in the natural world. However, these pure natural green packaging materials are far from meeting the needs of modern social economic development for the packaging materials of goods. Therefore, humans rely on the progress of science and technology to create a large number of artificial Synthetic green packaging material has formed the 4 pillar material paper, metal, glass and plastic in the current packaging industry [2].

1. 1 paper

Paper is derived from natural plant fibers and is easily decomposed naturally. It is a typical green packaging material. It is divided into two forms of soft wrapping paper and rigid cardboard. It has been widely used in the packaging of industrial products such as foods, fruits and vegetables, and home appliances, showing that paper has a large share of packaging materials. With the advancement of papermaking technology and printing technology, paper packaging dominates the packaging of various high-end gifts and cosmetics with its exquisite and elegant appearance. For example, the rare flowers packaged in parchment paper on the flower market are still simple and beautiful in the gorgeous. Elegant and vividly embodies the timeless appeal of paper, an ancient packaging material.

1. 2 glass

Due to the characteristics of the material structure and manufacturing technology, glass can be made into various shapes and crystal clear packaging containers, which have strong functions of beautifying goods. Due to abundant raw material resources and moderate prices, they are widely used in liquid products such as alcoholic beverages. Packaging for spices, spices, perfumes and chemical reagents.

1. 3 metal

Metals used as packaging materials are mainly copper and aluminum, and can be made into flexible metal thin-walled or metal-coated films, such as cans, cans, and tin foils for cigarettes. They can also be used to describe green packaging just from the use and recycling of packaging materials. Barrels, tanks and containers. Metal packaging has always occupied a place in packaging materials due to its long-term protection function and easy recycling, but due to its economic performance, it cannot hold a large market.

1. 4 plastic

Since the advent of plastics, due to its rich source of raw materials, its advantages of low price, light weight, high strength, good toughness, and easy forming, it has rapidly increased its proportion in packaging materials and has become an important symbol of modern commodity packaging in China. The use of plastic packaging materials accounted for 26% of the total plastic production. The finished product forms include plastic bags, fiber woven bags and rigid molding materials such as plastic buckets and bottles for the packaging of various soft drinks, foods and daily necessities. Although plastic packaging is easy and inexpensive to carry, it is generally difficult to recycle because it is a synthetic polymer material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc., its waste is not easily recycled and cannot be decomposed naturally. The initial use of too much, causing a global "white pollution." Under the impact of the world's green revolution, the research and use of biodegradable new generation plastics has become an irreversible trend.

1.5 Degradable Plastics and Edible Packaging Materials

Degradable plastics are characterized by the use of macromolecular synthesis technology to introduce groups that are easily decomposed under the action of light or microorganisms on the chemical structure of the material, so that plastics can be decomposed in the natural world by the action of light or microorganisms, thereby avoiding a large amount of waste. The environmental pollution of plastic packaging. The synthetic technology and manufacturing cost of biodegradable plastics are not too high. The reason for restricting their development and application lies in the lack of processing equipment for this material and the immature supporting technologies.

The edible packaging materials made from natural organic molecules such as proteins, amino acids, fats and cellulose can be consumed by people and naturally absorbed in the human body, do not cause environmental pollution, and do not need to be recycled to become the current wave of green packaging. Global research hotspots. Currently used are: packaging of meat with collagen membrane made of animal collagen, packaging of fast food with fiber membrane made of chitin, and use of Chinese unique plant konjac to replace chitin to make fiber membrane to become edible packaging material. It can be expected that with the deep implementation of the green packaging project and the development of biotechnology, edible packaging materials will become highly competitive rising stars.

(to be continued)