scope:

For a comparison between types of packaging, requirements must first be defined. These can then form the basis for the standardization, reuse or broad usage of packaging.

Choice, evaluation and costing using consistent principles allow an objective comparison of packagings and help avoid neglecting important evaluation criteria. The guideline cannot give generally valid statements on which packaging (disposable/re-turnable) should be preferred.

This decision will always depend on the individual case and should be founded on technical (see VDI 4407) and chiefly on cost and ecological considerations. Additional subjective criteria that can gain importance from case to case will be weighted and evaluated during the decision analysis given in Section 3.