Rigid plastic packaging and containers are more expensive than corrugated paper; however, they can be cleaned to meet cleanroom requirements. They are generally non-porous and non-shedding, which helps control particle contamination. Rigid plastic containers include those made by a molding process such as vacuum forming and injection molding. Other rigid containers, which include plastic corrugated, are made by an extrusion and die cutting process.

Ideally, packaging should be designed for disassembly and recycling. Here are a few key things that can make the recycling process easier:
• Indicate recycle symbol with resin code on packaging
• Design containers to be made from homogenous material
• Design for collapsibility or to be disassembled

This cleanroom tip was taken from “Sustainable Packaging,” which appeared in the May 2013 issue of Controlled Environments.