What is packaging and what types exist?

Since 2021, there are a number of changes for businesses in the field of packaging management.

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation was adopted in April 2021. It stipulates that all companies placing packaged goods on the Slovenian market without a previous Slovenian supplier will become obliged to report and pay a packaging fee in 2021.

The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation imposes the payment of a packaging levy on all companies that place packaging products on the market, as the 15 tonne packaging threshold is abolished.

New obliged parties must conclude a contract with a packaging waste management company as from the adoption of the Regulation.

Packaging is an indispensable part of almost every product. When we hear the word packaging, many of us first think only of the primary packaging in which the product is packed on the shelf, but we forget about the packaging that was important in the product’s journey from the manufacturer to the customer.

Primary, secondary and tertiary packaging

To give you an idea of what the concept of packaging refers to, here are some practical examples of packaging. There are three types of packaging or packaging elements:

Primary or sales packaging protects or encloses the basic unit of the product. This includes, for example, jars, bags, cans, bottles, plastic bottles, boxes, bowls, tubes, containers or other similar packaging with component parts. It is intended for the consumer at the point of purchase and protects the product from external influences or has an important function at the time of purchase of the product.

Secondary or group packaging* means films, boxes and similar wrappings or other packaging with component parts which enclose or hold together a large number of primary sales units of the same or a variety of goods. It is irrelevant whether the packaging is sold together with the goods to the end user or consumer or is removed at the point of purchase and has only logistical value.

Tertiary or transport packaging** means barrels, boxes, crates, handles, bags, pallets, cartons or other packaging with components which enclose or hold together a larger quantity of the basic sales units of the goods in a sales or group pack, and which facilitates the handling and transport of the goods and protects the goods from damage in the distribution route of the product.

Note that packaging also includes carrier (shop) bags, sacks, boxes, paper bags, pizza boxes, wrapping paper, etc., which are usually filled at the point of sale.

Types of packaging materials

Packaging can be made from a variety of materials that are similar in composition but different in form and purpose. Thus, when packaging a single product, different materials are combined for either primary, secondary or tertiary packaging.

Materials are divided into the following groups:

• paper and cardboard (such as paper bags, cardboard wrappers, wrapping paper, boxes, cake liners, plates, jars, labels, stickers);
• plastics other than PVC (in the form of plastic bottles, bowls, tubes, canisters, dessert boxes, wrappers, plastic crates or containers, flower pots for transport, clothes hangers for resale, plastic capsules for beverages);
• PVC (wrapping film, bags, PVC wrappers);
• wood (transport pallets, wooden crates);
• iron and steel (in the form of nails, gas bottles, caps and other supporting materials such as staples, grinders, etc.);
• aluminium (mainly in the form of cans, aluminium foil, aluminium capsules for beverages);
• glass (bottles and glass jars);
• composites (separated by type of material, according to the weight predominating in the composite);
• other (ceramics, textiles in the form of straps and wearable bags, etc.).

For foreign companies delivering products in packaging or packaging on the Slovenian market without an business entity here, the Slovenian packaging Ordinance implifies the obligations to appoint an Authorised representative to take over your obligations in this market. Your authorised representative will :

1. Register your company with the Republic of Slovenia’s pertinent governmental authorities, including taking care of administrative expenses and fees
2. Represent the corporation within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Slovenia.
3. Assure of the timely and proper fulfillment of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations.
4. Submit requisite reports to the relevant state authorities.

Interzero has more than 30 years of expirence in waste management and recycling, so we can act as your trustworthy partner, taking over your obligations in the Slovenian market.