Common Packaging Terms

Emily Hawley

Updated 23 July 2025 12:51

Primary Packaging	The packaging that the consumer takes home with them when they purchase the product.
Secondary Packaging	The packaging formats that remain at the store after the product is sold – shelf ready packaging (SRP)/retail ready packaging (RRP)/transit case/tray /multipack shrink wrap/tape.
Tertiary Packaging	Packaging that is left at the storage depot / warehouse after the product is picked and has been sent to the store – pallet/pallet wrap/ identification label/ layer sheets to prevent slip/corner posts.
Gauge	The thickness of the material is usually a Micron (μ) where it is less than 1mm.
Flute	Fluting is the central layer of corrugated board and is represented by a letter usually between A and S.
GSM	GSM is a measurement of weight for papers and is shown as a weight per square meter.
Density	Refers to most materials but generally for plastics and is the specific gravity of the material. It is shown as < or > than 1g/ cm3. Water is the benchmark and has a specific density of 1g/cm3 (1 cubic centimeter of water weighs 1g). Anything less than 1 will float and anything greater will sink.
Recycled Content	% of recycled content included within the component. This information needs to be split by pre-consumer recyclate and post-consumer recyclate with the combined total not exceeding 100%. Where you only use one source of recyclate, post-consumer recyclate is the preferred option.
Post Industrial Waste	Waste from the manufacturing process (i.e. from production/factories) before products are used by the end consumer.
Post-Consumer Waste	Waste discarded by consumers/end users (curbside or specific collections).
Advanced Chemical Recycling	A sustainably-oriented process that harnesses the power of science and technology to transform used plastics into new products that can be recycled again and again.

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