Environment: Going "Green" with Alternatives for CD & DVD Packaging

Media packaging is going low-plastic, no-plastic, bio-degradable, and almost edible.

In an industry dominated by the consumption of plastic and paper, Precision Disc Manufacturing Corp. has announced new greener packaging alternatives for CD and DVD discs. "The typical retail CD or DVD package is entirely comprised of plastic, paper and metal," explained Mike Arnold, General Manager of the British Columbia based company, "so we have worked with our suppliers to provide choices that reduce the negative environmental impact of the traditional packaging types."

Low-plastic and no-plastic packaging alternatives are at the forefront of Precision Disc's efforts, with printable card-stock proving to be the best all around material for their greener packaging requirements. This is due to card-stock being available in recyclable and bio-degradable forms, as well as being manufactured with recycled content or "FSC" (Forest Stewardship Council) certified content. The end result is a very attractive, versatile and surprisingly durable product that can be cut and assembled in a multitude of configurations to best suit a client's specific needs.

Leading the way is Precision Disc's "Eco-Case," which replaces the plastic CD Jewel Case with printed card stock and a revolutionary bio-degradable disc tray that is completely plastic-free. Also available in DVD format, the "Eco-Case" has virtually the identical form and function of its predecessors… just none of the plastic.

While replacing plastics with recycled and bio-degradable products gets the bulk of the attention, even the printing inks and the finishing coatings are being taken into greater consideration. The availability of vegetable-based inks and water-based Aqueous Coatings have quickly won favor over traditional petroleum based products.

While environmental consciousness is very much front-of-mind and catch-phrases such as "eco-friendly" enter the lexicon of our day-to-day speech, Precision Disc's President, Paul Durnie suggested that people are now more able to take action. "It's one thing for consumers to voice their desire for greener products, but at the end of the day price is often the deciding factor. Luckily we're at the point where increasing demand is really narrowing the price gap between the new 'greener' alternatives and the traditional plastic packaging. It's definitely an exciting change and very rewarding to play a part in it."

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