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CHAPTER VII

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS,
SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

Packing and Packaging is part and parcel of human life. Modern packaging,

the technology used to contain, protect, and preserve products throughout their

distribution, storage and handling, and at the same time to identify them, provided

instructions for their use, and promote them. Such packaging became an important

part of our daily life. Almost every thing in the market is coming in colourful,

hygienic and suitable packaging, which not only attracted the eyes of the customer but

also made its (product) shelf-life longer, safe and secure. Packaging also keeps the

item safe from climatic changes, including light and temperature. Packaging industry

is growing very fast as it became a marketing necessity with the changing life-styles.

Presently more people are working in packing and packaging operations than

any other business area. The estimated value of packaging materials and machinery

used for packaging throughout the world is £ 270 billion. Since the launch of the

supermarkets, packaging has been developed to allow customers to serve themselves.

Some 60 per cent of all packaging is used for food and drinks, and it is also essential

for cosmetics, domestic chemicals and electrical goods, pharmaceuticals, health care

products, agricultural chemicals, seeds, and feeds, and industrial goods of all types,

such as motor parts, computer hardware and software. Packaging has no longer a

simple technology. It developed as a very complicated art with a meaning and

purpose as the mind starts seeing and appreciating it. Presently packaging is required
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for everything, which involves particular technology of sophisticated nature and

specialized skills. It should be accomplished with knowledge of the principles of

science and technology and imitating nature. Innovations in packaging technologies

and design are transforming brands, enabling new consumer benefits and enriching

lives.

The present study discusses the Origin, growth of packaging, significance of

packaging concept, packaging cost, methods of cost reduction, environmental impact

of packaging, different strategies used by packaging industries, legal, social,

economic, technical factors of packaging, role of packaging in the competitive

globalised world, packaging trends, marketing, the scope and future of packaging

with reference to the problems faced by the packaging industries and awareness of

consumers and attempt to place in the right perspective the future prospects and the

development of the packaging sector. For this study out of 436 industries registered

in Tamil Nadu, 50 industries were selected as the sample size based on the

proportionate random sampling method.

The approach to this study is both descriptive and analytical mainly to make

the readers feel more comfortable. The research has used both primary and secondary

data for the study. For collecting the data the researcher has used an interview

schedule and direct interview was conducted for 8 months from January, 2011 to

September, 2011. The required secondary data have been collected from the sources

of various journals, books, reports, publications, review papers, seminars,

conferences, popular articles and text scripts, dissertations and also from websites.
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The researcher has also accessed to the university libraries of the Alagappa

University, Karaikudi, University of Madras, Chennai and Annamalai University,

Chidambaram. The researcher has collected information also from the leading

magazines on packaging, journal and periodicals on packaging and websites. The

summary of findings and suggestions for the improvement of the packaging sector

and its techniques for further developments of packing and packaging sectors in

Tamilnadu are presented in this chapter.

A gist of findings of the study recorded in various chapters of the present

report are consolidated and presented in this section.

7.01 Summary of Chapters

The Chapter II is entitled “Origin, Growth and Legal Provisions of Packaging”

depicts the origin, history, types of packaging materials, components of Indian

packaging industry, growth and trends of Indian packaging industry, role of global

buyers, quality management in the Indian packaging industry, various legal provisions

of packaging (laws) with respect to Standards of Weights and Measures Act, which

stipulates interstate trade or commerce of commodities and that of the various

declarations on packaging should be followed. Under PFA packaging requirements to

be adhered are mentioned. Bureau of Standards Act mentioned the standardization to

be followed in packaging. Fruits Products Order gives the guidelines for packing and

marking of fruits are mentioned. Meat food product order regulates the packaging and

licensing and packaging of all meat products are highlighted here. The AGMARK

guidelines regarding packaging of agriculture products are also mentioned here.

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The guidelines regarding packing of milk and milk producers are also stated

here. The packaging industry needs to fulfill various legal formalities as enumerated

in this chapter. Edible Oil Packaging (Regulation) Order, 1998 tells the standards

regarding packaging of edible oil are highlighted here. The consumer’s rights and

responsibilities are presented. Further, Packaging under globalised era, challenges

under globalization and characteristics of global packaging market are explained in

this chapter.

The Chapter-III entitled “Significance of Packaging” highlights the functions

and importance of packaging and the socio economic role of packaging portrayed in

the chapter. The consumer’s awareness, consumer’s expectation and requirements,

types of materials preferred for packaging, benefits of packaging, influence of

packaging on marketability of a product, packaging as a stimulant of buyer behaviour

and globalization of packaging suppliers and factors influencing the packaging

decisions are discussed.

The Chapter-IV entitled “Packing and Packaging Cost” discloses the

following revelations. The packaging reduction doing more business highlights the

steps to be followed in packaging cost. The factors to be considered while the

reducing the amounts of packaging are mentioned in this chapter. Various

components of packing cost and cost reduction by improvement in packaging are also

mentioned in this chapter. Packaging cost reduction strategies are highlighted here.

Cost saving by various methods and steps taken to eliminate hidden packaging cost

are explained in this chapter. Further, factors considered by packaging industries to

minimize the packaging cost are explained and the system cost for packaging
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materials is also highlighted. Ten ways to cut packaging cost are enumerated in this

chapter.

The Chapter-V on “Packaging Strategies” highlights the various designs used

by the packaging industrial Units. Good package design is regarded as an essential

part of successful business practice. Packaging designs became a marketing science.

The packaging industry keeps in mind the various factors in designing packaging are

explained. Functional requirements and sales requirements product for consumer

market are the two classes of package design criteria to be followed by them are

explained in this chapter. Further some important points to be considered under

developing a packaging strategy are included in this chapter. A sample of packaging

design followed in Pepsi product has been highlighted. The ten strategies for

successful packaging design are also discussed in this chapter.

The Chapter-VI on “Factors influencing Packaging” reveals the environmental

impact of packaging. The packaging has not escaped environmental focus and the

over all impact of packaging on environment has been highlighted in this chapter.

Packaging guidance has to be followed by packaging industries as listed here. The

waste hierarchy tool is mentioned and life cycle analysis of packing materials is

covered in this chapter. Sustainability of packaging, need for suitable design of

packaging and the model of eco-design innovation were also stated in this chapter.

Packaging recycling symbols and logos to communicate aspects of consumer use and

safety are mentioned in this chapter. The legal aspects in packing and packaging of a

product and consumer’s reaction on defecting packaging are also discussed. Further,

the social, economic and technical factors influencing the packaging Industry are
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explained and the impact of technical innovation in the packing methods/materials,

scope for further improvement and the future of packaging are also stated in this

chapter.

7.02 Findings

On the basis of the study completed and results obtained and analyzed, the

researcher listed down below the most of the valued findings and suitable workable

suggestions.

1. The study on consumer awareness of packaging while buying a desired

product item found that the consumers did give first priority to see the price and

second to the date of manufacture/expiry date and third to trade mark/brand name

while giving the fourth priority to special offer, warnings, direction for use/opening of

the product, net weight. Simultaneously, the customer gave less importance to see

about or last ranking to AGMARK/BIS mark and name and address of the

manufacturer which have been placed 5th and 6th rank of the priority order.

2. The study on the consumer expectations and requirements as to

packaging found that the consumers having more expectations and requirements as to

the packaging placed the appearance, ease of storing, ease of opening and handling in

the first priority and giving the second priority for complete information from the

package, and the materials used should be non-toxic and that of gas odour, emission

problems. The third expectation is towards ease of package disposal, low cost, tamper

evidence, biodegradable and less shelf-space required.

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3. The analysis about consumers level of preference as to the types of

packaging materials proved that the customer gave first preference to the paper

boards, second preference to jute, and third preference to the group consisting glass,

wood, fiber glass, fourth preference to the group metallic and leather and classified

plastics, polythene, others like sliver etc., in the last group of priority. It is observed

from analysis that the consumers increasingly prefer the paper boards for packaging in

the first priority while considering the various types of packaging materials on the

production in view of non environmental pollution.

4. It is absorbed from the analysis of nine functions of packaging

revealed that the consumers opined that the packaging should be designed to identify

the product at the first instance, and secondly it should protect the product,

promotes/advertises the product and contains the product. Further the respondents

expected that packaging has to reduce waste and save of energy, so that it is revealed

that the respondents expected from the packaging industries that it should atleast meet

out the minimum functions of identity of the product, protection the product from

damage, pilferation legal and loss of quantity and gave less importance on packaging

carrying the legal function.

5. Regarding the analysis of benefits of packaging, it is revealed that the

packing should help the consumers for choosing the product at the first instance of

seeing the product besides helping the manufactures for brand image and

differentiation among their own products either between the manufacturers or with the

same manufacturer. It is enabling the manufacturer to market their product at the first
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instance of the attention of consumers by attractive colouring or designing the

package of products.

6. The study has also identified that the marketability of a product is also

influenced by packaging a product in different ways like by making a package

colouring, easy carrying and preservation of content of a product which would have

been observed from the analysis on packaging which influences the marketability of a

product.

7. The buying behaviour of the consumer is also influenced by the

packaging design and material which could be observed from the analysis.

Stimulating the consumer to buy a product among a host of commodities by its

attractive colour, shape, design, texture, language and appearances and packaging acts

a silent salesman in marketing a product.

8. The study has further revealed that due attention has to be given on

first priority at the time of designing a package in such a way as influencing the

buying behaviour of the potential consumer at the first instance of seeing the product

while giving next order of priority to the remaining set of actions namely satisfaction,

direction, inducement and attachment.

9. In the study of post sales problems of packaging, it is revealed that

consumers are more aware that the packaging created problems. Most of the

consumers opined that post sales problems of packaging result in pollution due to

unplanned disposal of packaging materials, and it also increased the cost of product
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since it was thrown away after consumption of the contents in most cases. Too much

of package on a product leads to reduce the space utility.

10. It is also envisaged from the analysis that lack of awareness of

technology and innovation on using of packaging material, product development

awareness and Government restrictions / permission on using of packaging materials

by industries are the major challenges faced by the packaging industries.

11. The disposal of every packaging material shall have its own

environmental pollution and no one is exempted from it but only the percentage level

of impact is varying and the analysis also confirmed that the packaging industrial

Units also are facing the problem of disposal methods followed by the ultimate

consumer/user as the mode of disposal adds to the environmental pollution. This may

attract to interference of the regulatory authority to restrict on usage of particular

packaging material or ban such packaging materials. So, it is increasingly clear from

the study that the mode of disposal of packaging by the consumer is an important

factor contributing to the environmental pollution.

12. The survey has revealed that knowledge of the consumer about the

methods of disposal of packaging materials are varying from consumer to consumer

and less awareness of this will lead to considerable impact on environment effects.

Instead of classifying and throwing away the packaging material like plastic, they

simply throw away the packaging materials without classifying them and this will

lead to the major effect like harvesting of rain water.

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13. The study has concluded that there has been a significant level of

environmental impact upon disposal of packaging materials. It is revealed that the

consumers gave priority to global warming & climate changes and pollution

(air, water, sea) as different environmental impact of packaging. They gave second

priority to ozone layers depletion, third to toxicity of waste, soil erosion, littering,

depletion of non-renewable resources and the last to high cost of energy and impact of

landfill.

14. Yet another factor contributing to the problem of packaging industrial

units is that the consumers are in need of various sustainable measures, while

considering the designing, the packaging to reduce the overall environmental impact

of packaging since most consumers has atleast little knowledge about the various

practicable/sustainable measures to reduce the environmental impact of the

packaging.

15. By analyzing the controlling measures on environmental impact of

packaging, it is found that the society is facing the problem of environmental effects

due to disposal of packaging materials in different ways and there is a necessity to

take measures enabling to minimize environmental efforts of packaging. These efforts

first may be prioritized to non-toxic elements in packaging and it should be used in

packaging materials and next in order will be prescribing of standards for packaging

materials, educating consumers, disposal of package wastes made easy, design reuse

packaging, light weight packaging and recycling with less energy .

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16. Most of the respondents opined that mass awareness programme on

usage and disposal of packaging enabled the use of various packaging materials

disposal of such materials by ‘throw away’ or ‘reuse’ in view of minimization of

environmental effects of packaging and management of disposal.

17. The respondents stated that it is mandatory to furnish certain details on

packaging such as price, date of expiry, date of manufacturers etc., which vary from

product to product. Further, it is also observed that the consumers are particular

during the period of sale and also after sale about prescription/usage of certain

product in order to keep away from harmful effects of packaging to the society by the

packaging industries.

18. Considering the impact of legal provisions against harmful packaging

material, it is understood from the analysis that most of the respondents wanted first

to mandatory recycling as well as prescribing packaging standards to be adopted to

prevent effects of packaging and the second priority to mandatory reuse of packages,

labelling of plastic packages, stiff penalties for non-compliance of regulations,

establishing agencies for monitoring compliance of regulation. The mandatory

deposits and enforcing prescribed packaging standards followed by the manufacturers

enable to prevent the harmful effects of packaging to society and invoke the corporate

social responsibility.

19. While analyzing reaction of consumers in finding defects in packaging

at the time of purchase, most of the respondents opined that they used to react instead

of simply ignoring the same, and they are also immediately returning back to the

seller from whom it has been procured for exchange in most of the cases. Only few
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respondents made official complaints either to the Government agency or to the

manufacturer which is also on the basis of the nature of product and cost thereon.

20. The study has also revealed that the social factors like the health

awareness, environmental awareness, changing life styles, changing shopping habit,

time pressure in buying a product and consumer awareness are contributing factors to

determine the progress of particular group or size of the industry involving in

packaging activities through selection of standardized materials (or) pollution free

materials to carry out the contents of the packaging.

21. The analysis has further explored that the economic

competition and globalization influenced the types of packaging industry and it

depends on requirement of the society comprising of various types of income saving/

disposal groups. The competitions lead to reduction or hike in cost of substitute

materials through technological development as the case may be.

22. The analysis has revealed that the development of technological factors

will lead to decrease in cost of production of packaging but in most of the cases it

reduced the cost of packaging through material development, packaging innovations

and research to find out alternative materials so, most of the respondents opined that

product development and packaging development should be always in mind while

marketing a product.

23. The study has identified that 8 units out of 50 (16 per cent) had an

average turnover of below ` 25,00,000/- each. 18 units had a turnover between

` 25,00,000/- and ` 1.00 Crore. 19 units had a turnover of above ` 1.00 Crore and
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below ` 5.00 Crore, while two had a turnover of ` 5.00 to 10.00 Crore. Each and

three had above ` 10.00 Crore each. It was found here that these units had plenty of

opportunities to take up packing and packaging to the best satisfaction of consumers

and users.

24. Majority of the packaging units are using paperboard materials in most

of the cases while giving second priority to other items like polyethylene, plastics,

metallic, wood and so on.

25. The survey of different types of packaging has covered the following

type’s viz., outer packaging, transport packaging, sales packaging, flexible plastic

packaging, folding carton packaging, disposable packaging, returnable packaging,

followed by rigid plastic packaging and liquid carton packaging.

26. The most important factor influencing the decision of packaging is

consumer view point. Also the legal aspect, easy conveyance, environmental aspects,

product safety, value addition and appearance followed by as cost effectiveness and

distributor acceptance are important factors to reckon with.

27. The study has also revealed that the materials used for packaging

purpose are completely depending on the character of a particular item to be covered

by packaging of marketing a product which normally covers like strength, reusable,

recyclable, long shelf-life, cost effectiveness. So also convenience/non-toxic/less

weight. Each packaging material is found to have better qualities as to goods getting

packed with them.

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28. The prime functions of packaging are product safety, transportation,

promotion/advertisement of the product, reduced wastes, product identification and

legislation requirements followed by energy saving. However, the nature of the

product decides everything stated above.

29. Packaging makes self-service possible, it prevents pilferage and

tampering, provides safety hygiene and quality, provides brand image product

differentiation, provides value addition helps people to change, offers convenience,

helps proper storage and reduces cost. All the above are benefits of packaging. In a

nutshell packaging helps the manufacturers to market their product with as much

satisfaction as possible on the part of consumers.

30. It is evidenced from the study that all the sample industrial units except

one, accept that packaging stimulates the buying behaviors of consumers through

window display. It is confirmed that packaging acts as promotion in attracting the

consumer while buying a product.

31. The study on finding the proportion of total packaging cost in a

product reveals that packaging cost includes components like material cost, storage

and handling cost of empty packages, packaging operation cost, transportation cost of

filled packages, loss and damage cost, insurance cost and obsolescence cost. The

results collected from the industries evidence that majority of cost includes materials

cost followed by storage and handling cost, operation cost ,transportation cost,

insurance cost, loss and damage cost, and obsolescence cost. Hence the proportion of

packaging cost may differ from product to product based on the type of materials

used.
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32. Factors in reduction of packaging cost are research on reduction cost

by redesigning, reducing multi layering, recycling, storage space optimization,

process improvement, supply chain cost management, materials substitution and

reusing.

33. The Problems encountered by the packaging units are listed below,

they are, lack of incentives for technology up-gradation, shortage of trained

manpower, environmental hazards, increased cost, pollution, false information, and

reduced space utility.

34. The following are the challenges faced by the packaging units: Lack

of government and institutional support, inadequate consumer awareness, absence of

consumer preference research, slow progress in product development, non-availability

of information about market, insufficient infrastructure, lack of warehousing, pout of

packaging development, followed by lack of technology and absence of innovation.

35. While encountering the shortcomings of packaging, it is found that

packaging industries are facing few pitfalls to cope up with international platform.

The shortcomings listed in the order of their priority is that there is a shortage of

trained manpower in the packaging field, usage of innovative packaging separately

for overseas markets’, urgent need to develop low cost indigenous packing solution

and lack of innovation and modernization.

36. By analyzing the various tests followed by the sample units, it is found

that two types of tests are followed, namely, mechanical test and climatic test. The

mechanical test includes various tests like drop test, vibration test, compression test
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and rolling test which are conducted by the packaging industries. The climatic test

includes different test like rain test, and dust test and salt spray test. Based on type of

material and the nature of the product appropriate tests may be applied by the

packaging industry.

37. While analyzing design pattern, most of the packaging industries

follow in order of preference the economy design of packaging with average cost

followed by ordinary design of packaging with low cost and sustainable design of

packaging with high cost.

38. The study on varieties of packaging for the same product found that the

particulars as to different export markets require different packaging for the same

product. Majority of the packaging industries opinioned in the affirmative that

different export markets require different packaging for the same.

39. While analyzing the environmental impact of packaging, it is found

that various environmental problems are created by packaging materials. Of which

the most serious issues are littering and pollution (air, water, sea), followed by soil

erosion, extinction of endangered species, global warming, ozone depletion, depletion

of non-renewable resources, toxicity of wastes, energy cost, and impact of landfill.

40. Even though packaging materials have considerable impact on

environment, it is found that packaging units made effective measures to control or

minimize environmental effects of packaging materials.

41. While analyzing the legal formalities, it is found that stiff penalties for

non-compliance of regulations, prescribing packaging standards, establishing agencies

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for monitoring compliance of regulation, mandatory recycling and ban on particular

type of packaging like PVC are given first choice.

42. The study on Environment policy statement adopted by packaging

units, is found that majority of them are having environmental policy statement and

environmental certification. Nearly half per cent of the sample units have participated

in any voluntary environment programme. Very few number of sample units have

received any environmental violations. Overall half per cent of sample units agreed

that their packaging materials are recyclable and very few industries have applied for

incineration techniques for waste management. Nearly 50 per cent of the sample units

have not received any complaint from consumer regarding packaging materials. The

survey proves that all the 50 number of industries taken for the study have not paid

any compensation to the complainer. It proves that they regularly follow packaging

laws and regulations and they behave as a good corporate citizen of the country.

7.03 Suggestions and Recommendations

Packaging is a subject attracting more and more attention from the public and

the media and provides the consumers some benefits especially, convenience, hygiene

and safety. So the researcher, on the basis of the study listed below the suggestions

and recommendations for the overall growth of the packaging sector in general and

ultimate consumers in particular.

1. The consumers while buying a product want to be more aware of the

price, date of manufacture and expiry given on the packing of any product. Hence

they should be made mandatory.

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2. The marketability of any product depends upon consumers’

acceptance, which determines the existence or survival of any packaging units. So,

the consumer expectations need to be taken into consideration while designing the

packaging in such a way atleast to meet out the minimum requirements of the

consumers. Hence, the researcher has suggested that any Research and Development

or improvement of quality/quantity of packaging is expected to be taken into account

the ultimate consumer needs.

3. The paperboards may be given top priority wherever possible among

the other packaging materials in view of its eco-friendly nature of the material,

relatively lesser cost of packaging as compared with availability of materials in the

market and also recycling process associated with paperboards.

4. It is suggested that the designing of the packaging should help the

consumers to identify the product, contents of the product on seeing the product in the

first instance but reasonably presumed that no one will want to add to the cost of

packaging materials by using something unnecessarily and this would be possible by

intelligent packaging methods.

5. It is generally accepted that the role of packages is its ability to sell the

product and build a brand image for which advancement have been made in most of

packaging technology, like engineering, graphic design and materials used. The

consumer focused package is graphically powerful and persuasive, ergonomic and

functional. And a good package acted like a “silent salesman’. The package should

have a minimum quality of stimulating the buying behavior of the consumer which is
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possible by its attractive colour, appearance, attention, direction, inducement and

attachment for the sale of a product.

6. The local government is responsible for collecting and disposing of

packaging waste by adopting various waste strategies to raise the standards besides

the manufacturers are requested to introduce products which use less energy or water

which are easier to recycle or dispose of it after their use and minimization of waste at

source as waste management strategy.

In addition to the above, the researcher is of the view that the consumer’s

awareness programme may be conducted at various levels either by the Government

or by Regulatory authority/Manufacture/Social Organization etc., informing the

consumer about dropping of litter will became as antisocial as spitting is today.

Further, the manufacturer may also come forward through the agencies collecting and

reusing the containers, recovering the materials from the supplier for reuse within the

business, identify alternatives for sending the waste for final disposal. So in a

nutshell the solid waste management should emphasize the use of hierarchical and

integrated management approach involving source reduction, recycle, composting,

combusting and land filling.

7. Packaging needs to get the balance, right between the environmental

impact of package and product integrity. It is particularly confirmed in food

processing industry and the optimal packaging system.

8. The packaging units should take care of technology and innovation

activities as it is fast developing particularly in the developing countries and which

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results in use and formation of materials and coating, creative and engineering design,

information digitization design, supply, distribution chain, and production control and

automation. Further the innovation will deliver the mixing and matching of materials,

brand differentiation, packaging minimization, and evolution of design. Ultimately all

the above factors will result in reduction of cost of packaging and environmental

impact which is one of the challenges faced by the packaging industries.

9. Studies may be undertaken to ascertain the consumer disposal methods

of various types of packaging materials so as to arrive at useful and eco-friendly use

of packaging.

10. Designers can take action through sustainable and intelligent designs

which focus on reducing the environmental impact of packaging materials and

improving efficiency. In this contest, the researcher suggested that the sustainable

packaging may be preferred by the packaging units as suggested by the consumers in

order to keep the environmental impact at a lower level. Packaging needs to be seen

as an integral part of the product and as such more also need to be done about

educating the consumer about responsible behaviour regarding the use and disposal of

the package materials.

11. The mass awareness programme about the usage and disposal of

packaging may be conducted by local government or regulatory authorities or by the

packaging industries by fixation of certain percentage of sales/profit of the concerned

industries to conduct the programme about the reuse, disposability, re-cyclability for

the reduction of the environmental degradation.

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12. The most effective way of reducing the packaging wastage and

environmental effects are through legislations and these could be enacted and

amended in appropriate lines with the requirements of the society for the nation as a

whole. It is suggested that the government should be very strict about toxic material

being used by the industrial units for packaging and issue the necessary guidelines

for recycling of packaging material with time limit in addition to prescription of

standards. Moreover stiff penalties for non-compliance of regulations particularly in

the case of environmental impact of materials and restriction of usage of material for

packing at the source itself. It may also be possible to establish the regulatory

authority/agencies at least in the major cities and districts for monitoring compliance

of regulations.

13. The increasing internationalization and globalization of business has

forced many industries to reconsider what contributed to their competitive

advantages. As such, the researcher recommend that industries should understand

and take advantage of packaging as a strategic weapon and marketing tool for the

entire business, within a highly competitive industries like food and beverages and

this can be achieved through branding and packaging, package design, brand name

and logo and product differentiation. The global package is to be logical particularly

as consumer habits and preference covering around the world and it must grab

shoppers’ attention to introduce the product and close sales.

14. Packaging technology development ensures now a days an attractive

appearance and gaining more market. In the lights of the above, it is suggested that

there should be a shift in the materials mixture used through technological

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developments like removing layers of packaging, changing materials, using

biodegradable materials. Moreover the minimization of packaging should be one of

the objects of the environmental policy which will lead to reduction in use of

resources and light weight on packing lead to resource saving.

15. Since consumer is playing vital role in the marketability of a product,

at the first instance, the packaging units should identify the expectations of the

consumers about the packaging of a particular product which may basically requires

ease conveyance, furnishing details, non-toxic, long life and less cost of the product,

with minimum environmental impact and satisfy them to the extend possible.

16. Under the globalized competitive marketing particularly consumer

goods industries, it is suggested that the VIEW test may be considered while

designing the packaging of a particular product after taking into consideration of

future technological development and innovation thereon. The VIEW test denotes

Visibility (V) - that differentiates itself from the other competitors; Information (I) –

communicates the contents of the product; Emotional impact (E) - Stimulates the

impulse buying and Workability (W) - enables the product and protect the product at

home.

17. The packaging industry should be supported by the

Government/institutional agencies i.e. major financial institutions to provide capital

at subsidized lesser rate of interest on loan borrowed by the packaging industries for

purpose of research and development work and technology up-gradation particularly

in capital investment in plant and machinery. For example, the news print is supplied
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by the government to all news paper producers in the country for want of eco-friendly

material supply and effects thereon.

18. There are various environmental problems created by the packaging

units to the society, the serious among them are littering, pollution and depletion of

natural resources. The researcher suggest to minimize the same through the following

steps

(i) Prudently selecting the materials,

(ii) Establishing of Environment Protection Agency with guidelines,
(iii) Review expectations of packaging in line with environmental impact and
(iv) Establishment of a Committee represented by industry, government and
consumers for suggestions and improvement.

19. It is further suggested that the Government should frame the packaging

policy/guidelines, which are economically, environmentally, and scientifically sound

as well socially and politically acceptable. In this regard, the producers need to work

with local authorities through their Packaging Compliance Scheme or Accredited

Re-processors Scheme to ensure that packaging materials can be collected by local

authorities for recycling by fixing quantities on the basis of sales turnover or

otherwise per annum in the case of manufacturing and converting raw materials for

packaging, filling packaging, selling packaging goods to the final use, perform a

service provision, importing packaging materials.

20. The government should fix producer’s responsibility obligations for

registration, recovery, recycling, certifying and consumer information.

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7.04 Scope for Further Research

The foregoing findings and suggestions indicate that it is all not the end of it.

A macro study like the present one could give only a bird’s eye view in general on

major issues facing the packing and packaging industries. In the first decade of the

21st century is likely to be no less competitive than the last decade, with challenges

and changes being the order of the day. In order to survive and prosper, industry will

need to be flexible and adaptable and invest, innovate and develop appropriate skills

base to meet the challenges ahead. The outlook for the packaging industry is

challenging and more and more will be required of packaging as a whole by

consumers, industries and governments.

Industry will need to invest, innovate and develop the appropriate skills base

to meet challenges. Flexibility and adaptability will be required if companies are to

prosper. So there is enough scope for further research on the lines suggested below:

(i) A study on “Role of Packaging in the Economic Development of India”.

(ii) A study on “Technological Development of Packaging with reference to Cost

and Environmental Impact”.

(iii) A study on “Role of Packaging Design in New Product Development”.

(iv) A study on “Scientific and Innovative Approach to Solid Waste Management

with reference to Industrial Packaging Material”.

(v) A study on “Environmental Legislations and Corporate Social Responsibility

of Producers in the Packaging Industries”.

(vi) A study on “Challenges of Indian Packaging Industries with reference to

Consumer Products”.

(vii) A study on “Packaging in a Competitive Market with reference to Consumer

Products”.
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(viii) “Role and Importance of Packaging in the Supply Chain Management”. A

study with reference to industrial products.

(ix) “An Empirical Study on the Role of Packaging in Food Processing Industry”.

7.05 Conclusion

Ever since human civilization descended on various parts of world, there

has been enough attention on various goods and services, especially the packing and

packaging part of them. In fact historical evidences were found to be thereon

packing and packaging separately for goods in store and respectively those in transit

packing and packaging was very much found to be so useful in trading between

different regions within India during the regime of Moghuls as well as the English

when East India Company was there in India. In modern marketing, particularly

after the World War I and World War II, packing and packaging has become

inseparable and during the era of globalization. Now, it is part and parcel of the

business, whether public or private, big, medium or small. A business world without

packing and packaging cannot be imagined in future.

The foregoing analysis and discussion in the thesis brought about the most

significant aspect of packing and packaging with a specific focus on their origin,

growth, significance and importance, cost, strategy, legal aspects, environmental,

social, technical aspects of packaging and so on. All such aspects indicated one

important fact that in any form or manner the packing and packaging is done, it

ought to have been friendly with not only the consumers but more importantly with

the environment. The researcher found it a clear truth, down to earth, an unfriendly
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packing and packaging to the ultimate user and environment cannot afford to

continue to coexist for obvious reasons.

There is ample law in force to prevent and control unhealthy business

practices inclusive of an economic and poor packing and packaging are always there

to target defaulters. The business houses to corporate with the above have been

promoting strategy in tune with the laws of the land on one hand and practicing them

to counter the competition on the other. Packing and packaging in recent times have

been adjudged the trend setter and a factor to reckon with to determine the success or

otherwise of the entire exercise. In an ‘use and throw’ economy except the core, the

entire product serves as the pack or package. This will continue to be the future of

marketing of commodities for some more years from now.

The Researcher is confident of the findings and recommendations made in

the study then and there in various chapters, and in this present chapter which is the

summation of the earlier chapters. In all, these findings and recommendations have

been made in the study for due consideration in policy making by the planners and

law makers. It is fondly believed and earnestly appealed to take into account these

suggestions for implementation at various levels by the competent authorities for the

benefit of the ultimate buyers and users of those products and services and society at

large. Earlier, it is done, better for all concerned.