The shape of the container, the graphics on the label and style of closure all combine to "sell" the drinking experience, but the impact of excessive packaging on the environment is under attack. One of the biggest shifts in packaging design is where economic and environmental benefits overlap. Lighter packaging means lower raw material costs and less impact on the environment. But does this necessarily mean less impact on the shelf? The packaging of a drink is its front line marketing took. This article looks design issues and the success of the "Container Lite" project set up the the UK government-funded Waste & Resources Action Programme. There is also a table of global beer packaging in 2006 by material where glass volume is reported as 62%, having had incremental growth since 2001 of 18%.
