ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

A SURVEY STUDY OF PLASTIC PACKAGING

PRACTICES IN ADDIS ABABA AND OROMIA
REGIONS

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A SURVEY STUDY OF PLASTIC PACKAGING
PRACTICES IN ADDIS ABABA AND OROMIA
REGIONS

ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

DEGREE OF MATER OF ARTS IN MARKETING MANAGEMENT
EDUCATION

BY
AYALEWSEID

JANUARY 2010
ADDIS ABABA
 DECLARA TION

I, the undersigned, declare that this thesis is my original work, and has not been presented
in any other Uni versity, and that all the sources of materials used for the thesis have been
full y acknowledged.

Name: Ayalew Seid

Signature:

Date:
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wou ld like to thank Dr. Worku Mekonnen for his unreserved and in va luable advice for
the successful completion of my thesis.

I would like to thank all my fri ends who assisted and showed their real concern to the
rea li zation of my thesis espec ially to Mr. Kifle Zeleke, Dr. Yimer Kifle, Mr. Hussien
Eshetu, Mr. Ahmed Seid, Mr. Asnake Habtamu, and Mr. Biniam Getaneh.

I would also like to extend my thanks to package Manufacturing owners and concerned
emp loyees especially to Mr. Daniel Elias of Cla ssic Pl astic and Paper Manufacturing, Mr.
Mulugeta Sebsibe, of Roha Pack, Mr. Tsemru Akalemeskel of Fl ex ible Packaging, Mr.
Banteamlak Habtamu of Thermo Plast ic Indu stry, and Mr. Getachew Abbitew of INOV A
Packaging Industry. These owners and officers were not only helping me to fill out and
return the questionnaires on their part but also by distributing and co llecti ng the
questionna ires to most of their respective package customers as well as by offering their
customers' full address.

Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to concerned government officials who are
working in Environmental Protection Authority, Investment Agency of Addis Ababa City
Administration, Investment Commission of Oromia Region , and Quality and Standards
Authority of Ethiopia. These officia ls have provided me all the necessary information
without any reservation .
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........ . ... .... ...... . .. .. . ... .. ... .. . . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. .... . ....... i
LI ST OF TAB LES . ................. .. ............ ............ ............. ............... ............... ............. ........... v
LIST OF ABBREV IA TIONS ............. ....... ..... ....... .... ... ..... ......... ................... ............ ....... .. vi
ABSTRACT . .. .............. . ... ............................ . .. ........... . . ...... . . . . ... .. .. ..... .. VII

CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM AND ITS APPROACH

1.1 Organization of the Study ......... . ...................... ... ... . .. . . .... .. . .. .. .. . ... .. .... 1
1.2 Background of the Study ... . . ...... ... ... .. . ... .. .... . .. .. ... .. .. ..................... ... . 1
1.3 Statement of the Problem ...... . . . . .. .. ... . . .. . .. . . .. .. ... ... .. . .. . .. ..... .. .. ... .. . ... ... 5
1.4 Obj ecti ves of the Study .. ....... . . .. . .... . . .. .. ....... .. .. .. ..... . .. ... .. .. . .. ... . ......... 7
1.5 Signifi cance of the Study .......... . ....... . .... . ... . .. .. . .. ... ... ... . ... . ... . . ............ 8
1.6 Delimitation of the Study ....................... .. .. . .. .. ... .. . . . . . .... . ..... .. .. .. ....... 8
1.7 Operati onal Definition of Basic Terms ........ ............ ........ .... ... .......... . ..... . .9

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATUR ES

2. 1 Development of Plasti cs ......... . ... .... . . . ... .. . . . .. ... . .. .. .. .. .. .. . ... . . . .. ... .. .. .... 11
2.2 Brief Hi story of Packaging ..... .. ........... ... ........ . ... . .......... .. . .... . ... . ...... . 14
2.3 Functions of Packaging ............. .............. ... . .. ........ ..... ... .. .... . . .. . . ...... 15
2.4 Importance of Packaging ..... . . . . . . ... . . . . .. ... . .... . . . .. . ..... . . . . .. .. .. . . . . . .. .. ..... ... 16
2.5 Packaging Criticisms ............. . .... . ........ . .......... . ... . . ............ . ... . .... ...... 17
2.6 Packaging Considerations ................ .. . .. .. ... .... ... . ... . . . . . . . .. . . .. .... ... . . .. .... 19
2.7 Packaging Policy and Regulati ons .. ... ............ ... ........................ ... ............. 21
2.7.1 Packaging Poli cies and Regulations in Developed Countri es ........ .. ....... 2 1
2.7.2 Environmental Laws in Ethiop ia ........ ... ...... ...... ....... ... .. ........... ............ .22
2.7.2.1 Environmental Protection Orga ns Establi shment Proclamat ion ... ..23
2.7.2.2 Environmenta l Impact Assessment Proclamation .. .... ....... ......... 24
2. 7.2.3 Environmental Pollution Control Proclamation ................ . ....... 25
2.7.2.4 Solid Waste Management Proclamati on .. .. ... .. ... .. ......... ..... ... .27
2.8 Managing Packaging Waste . . ... .. ..................... .... ... . . .. . .... .. . .. . . . . . ... .. ... 27

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CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 The Research Design .. .. .... .. .. ................. ... ..... ..... ...... ..... ... .. ......... ........ ........ ... ..... .30
3.2 The Research Methodology ............... ............ .............. .. ................ .. .............. ... .... 31
3.2.1 Subjects of the Study ............. .. .... . ...... .. .. . ........... . ... . . ...... ..... ..... .31
3.2.2 Data Sources ............................... .............. ................ ... ...................... ....... 31
3.2.3 Data Collection Instruments ................ .... .............. .... . ........... . ...... 31
3.2.4 Instrument Reliabi lity Test. ... .... .... ...................... ......... ........ ... .... ............. 32
3.2.5 Samp ling Procedures and Techniques .................................................. ... 32
3.2.6 Methods of Data Analysis ...................... . ........ . ...... .33

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENT ATION, ANAL YSrS, AND INTERPRETATION OF

THE RESULTS
4.1 Common Plastic Package Forms .................................. .. ........ .. . .. ....... 35
4.2 Role ofa Package Designer ............................. . .. .... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ..... . ... 36
4.3 Product Wastage Due to Poor Packaging ................ .. ............................. 37
4.4 Plastic Packaging and Sa les Volume ........... .. ... .. . .. .. ...... ... .......... . ......... 39
4.5 Packaging Functions and Considerations .................... ........................................ .40
4.6 Views of Package Manufacturers and Customers to Each Other. ....................... .42
4.7 Package Manufacturers and Their Customers Relationship ................................. 45
4.8 Plastic Package Waste Issues and Concern for Environment. .... ......... .... ........ .... .46
4.9 Efficient Utilization of Plastic Packages and Qua lity Issues .............................. .50
4. 10 Plastic Bag Regulations and Environmental Impact Assessment... .... "" ." .. " ... 51
4.11 Packaging Policy in Ethiopia .................................................................. ........... 52
4. 12 Threat of Plastic Package Wastes to Environment in Ethiopia .... .............. ........ 53
4.13 Investment Demand for Plastic Packages ................................. ..... ... ................. 53
4.14 Collaboration and Complaint Reporting ........... ..... ... ...... ............ ..... ..... ............. 54
4.15 Packaging Standard Issues ................................................................................. 54
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary ..................................... .... ........................ .. ....... . ..................... 55
5.2 Conclusions ...... . .......... .. .. . .. .. .... . ......... . ............ .. . .. . ..... .. . ... .......... 57
5.3 Recommendations ...... . . ... .............. .. ... ............................................ 58

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BIBLIOGRAPHy ..... .. ........ ... .. ... .. . ..... ............... ..... .. ............................... 6 1

APPENDICES
Appendi x I: Questionnaire for Plastic Package Customers ................................................ 64
Append ix 2: Questionnaire for Plastic Package Manufacturers .. .......... ............................... 68
Appendix 3: Interview Gu ides fo r Investment Offic ials .................. .. ........ .... ........ ...... .... .... 72
Append ix 4: Interview Gu ides for EPA Officia ls............ .... .... ............... .. .......... ................. 73
Appendix 5: Interview Guides for QSAE Officials ................................................. ............ 74
Append ix 6A: Plastic Bag Thickness Examination Letter .............. ..................................... 75
Appendix 6B: Plastic Bag Thickness Examination Result ............................. .. ........ .. .... .. .. .76
Appendix 7A: Packaging Functions and Considerati ons--Weighted Scores ....................... 77
Appendix 7B: Packaging Functions and Considerations--Spearman's Rank Correlation
Coefficient. .............. ........... ............ ...................... ..... .. ..... .......... ....... ....................... 78
Appendix 8: Plastic Package Manufacturers' View to Their Respective Customers .. ........ 79
Appendix 9: Manufacture-Customer Relationship-Interpolated Median .......... ................... 80
Appendix lOA: Plastic Packaging and Concern for Environment--Weighted Scores ......... 81
Appendix lOB : Plastic Packaging and Concern for Env ironment Spearman's Rank
Correlation Coeffic ient. ......................................... .............. .. ....... ................. .. ......... 82
Appendix II A: Inter Rater Reliability Test ....................................................... .................. 83
Appendix liB: Inter Rater Reliability- Formula ...... .... ... ...... ..... ...... ..... ......... .. .................. 84
Append ix II C: Inter Rater Reliability--Calculation ............................................................ 85
Appendix 12: Product Wastage, Damage Frequency and Extent ............... ..... ................... 86
Appendix 13: Plastic Package Manufacturers' Pamphlets .................. ..... .......................... 87

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Plastic Package Forms ................................................. ............. .......................... .35

Table 2: Need for Packaging Designer. ................. ....... ... .. ... ... ..... ...... ... .. .... ............ ... .... .... 36
Table 3: Product Wastage, Damage Frequency and Extent. ...................................... 38
Table 4: Plastic Packaging Contributi on in Boosting a Sale ......... ..... .. ........... ...... ... .......... 39
Table 5: Packaging Functions and Considerations ...... . .. . ...... . . .. ................... .. ...... .41
Table 6A: Customers' View of Package Manufacturer. ............ .............. .... ................... ... .43
Table 6B: Package Manufacturers ' View of Customers ..... ..... .. ..... .... .... ......... .................. .44
Table 7: Manufacturer-Customer Relationship .......................... .... ................................... .45
Table 8A: Package Manufacturers' and Customers' View for Plastic Package Wastes .... .47
Table 8B: Plasti c Packa ging and Concern for En vironment. ........... ... ........ ..... ............ ...... .48
Table 9: Efficient Utilization of Plasti c Packages ... ............................................................ 50
Table 10: Plastic Bag Regul ations and Environmental Impact Assessment... .................... 52

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 LIST OF ABBREVIA nONS

CSA: Centra l Statistical Agency

DEFRA: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
ElA: Ethiopian Investment Agency
EPA: Environmental Protection Authority
FDRE: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
HDPE: High Dens ity Pol yethylene
LDPE: Low Density Polyethylene
PE: Polyethylene
PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate
PP: Polypropylene
PS: Polystyrene
PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride
QSAE: Quality and Standards Authority of Eth iopia
UK: United Kingdom
UK CEED: United Kingdom Cen ler [or Econumics and Environmenla l Development
USA: United States of America

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 ABSTRACT

Th e most environmentally criticized package types are plastic and paper, the former for
litter, ingestion, and disposal problem and the laller for deforestation. The Ethiopian
government enacted not to produce or import plastic bags with a thickness of 0.03
millimeters and below for th ey are major causes for the environment to litter. Besides, in
the proclamation (Proclamation No. 51312007), it has been indicated that "as of th e date
fixed under a directive to be issued by the Authority, it shall be unlawjit! to put on the
market any plastic bag that is not labeled to show whether it is biodegradable or not ".
Despite all these efforts, it is common to see used plastic packages on curb-sides. The
overall purpose of this study is, therefore, to investigate plastic packaging practices in
Addis Ababa and Oromia Regions and suggest some possible ways of remedy to mitigate
the problem.

The methodology employed for this study is a descriptive survey and is both qualitative
and quantitative in n(J/ure. The study population basically included eleven package
manufacturers and 235 of their respective cllstomers. Of these groups of populations, five
and 150 samples were respectively drawn and surveyed. Besides, views of governmel1l
officials concerned were included. In collecting the relevant data, questionnaires and
interviews were used as primary sources. Policy and other do cuments were used as
secondary sources. 1n this study, probability sampling procedure was used with stratified
simple random sampling techniques. Th e data analysis employed is descriptive and
focused onji-equencies, percentages, and standard or interpolated median measures.

Th e survey result indicated that velY little attention has been given to packaging in general
and plastic packaging in particular. No packaging policy has been formulated so far.
Plastic bags with a thickness of 0.03 millimeters or below werefound to be produced, and
plastic packages in the form of roll and shopping bags were found to be the most dominant
packages being used. Plastic package wastes are not managed in an environmentally
friendly manner, there is an increasing demand fo r plastic packages by users. Government
and product users are found to be the most responsible bodies for environmental pollution
specific to plastic package waste. There is inadequate number of skilled p ersonnel in
package design. Environment is given the least packaging consideration in comparison
with oth er considerations such as packaging cost and convenience to use and distribute a
product.

In the light of the major findings, recommendations forwarded include: to have packaging
policy in order to utilize the most out of packaging, to create awareness among the p ublic
to care fo r environment and to dispose used packages safely. Besides, government must
enforce the already existing regulations (proc lamation No. 51312007) and issue some
other additional packaging related policy as well as regulations including implementation
strategies that will consider efficient utilization of packaging reso urces, environment,
package p roducers, package IIsers, and the society (1/ large.

vii
 CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

In thi s chapter, an effort is made to address issues such as organization of the study,
background of the study, statem ent of the probl em, obj ect ive o f th e study, significa nce of
the study, delimitati on of the study, and operational definiti on of key terms. These issues
are di scussed in the order they are presented .

1.1 Organization of the Study

Thi s research is organized into fi ve chapters. Chapter one is about the introductory part
of the study where organization of the study, background o f the study, statement of the
probl em, obj ecti ve of the study, signifi cance of the study, delimitation of the study, and
operational definiti on of key terms are dealt with . Chapter two deal s with the review o f
the related literatures consisting of such themes as development of plastics, bri ef hi story
o f packag ing, fun ctions of packagi ng, importance of packaging, packaging criti cisms,
packa ging cons iderati ons, pac kaging poli cy and regul ations, and ma naging packaging
wastes. Chapter three is about the research des ign and methodology used in address ing
th e probl em. It includes such topi cs as subjects of th e study, data sources, data co llection
in struments, pil ot test, sampling procedures and techniques, and methods of data anal ys is.
Chapter four is about data presentation, analysis, and interpretation of the results.
Chapter five presents summ ary of the findin gs, conclusions, and recommendati ons of the
study. Then, the bibliography, questi onnaires, intervi ew guides, and other relevant
documents that support data presentation , analysis, and interpretation of the results are
included as appendi ces.

1.2 Background of the Study

Marketing is a multi-di sc iplinary area o f study composed of know ledge from soc ial as
well as na tura l sc iences. It is a process by whi ch a product originates and is then pri ced,
promoted , and distri buted to consum ers (Robbt , 2008). Produ cts can be ta ngible goods,

1
services, or s ideas. One marketing decision as important as the product itself especially
for tangible goods is, therefore, the packaging decision.

The term packaging refers to a physical container or wrapper used to hold and protect a
product (Kotler and Armstrong, 2004). It is the preparation of goods for distribution and
sa le in bottles, boxes, cans, and other containers. Packaging also represents the size,
shape and final appearance of a product at a time of sale.

Labeling is also regarded as part of packaging (Kotler and Armstrong, 2006). Thi s is true
because a label mostly appears on the package of an item. It is very difficult to think
labeling without packages. If not on the package, labels may be put inside the package
together with the product. The main difference between a label on the package and the
one inside the package is that the latter contains more detailed information than the
former.

The origin of using packaging is traced back to the time when people began producing
surplus product. This was so because storage and transportation of the surplu s product
necessitated the use of packaging. The packages at that time, however, were more of
natural in form such as shells and leaves. Later, people began to produce packages from
natural materi als like hollowed logs, woven grasses, etc. As peop le discovered ores and
chemi ca l compounds, they developed packages made of metal. The devel opment was
from meta l to glass, to paper, and then to plast ic (Welt , 2005).

Though severa l plastics such as styrene, viny l ch loride, and celluloid were discovered and
developed in the 19 th century, none of these material s became practical for packagi ng
until the twentieth centUIy. Before the use of plastics for packaging, paper and
paperboard packagi ng was dominant . Plastics as a significant player in packaging,
especially in 1970s and 1980s, replaced paper and some other related packaging material.
Lately, however, that trend has slowed because designers have tried to respond to the
perception that plastic is environmentally unfriendl y (Welt, 2005).

With a package, we hold, promote, distribute, and price products by considering the
package for it has also cost implication.

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As for the use of packaging, Cyr and Gray (1 994, p. 49) forw arded the followin g.

Years ago, packaging was a minor part of marketing; today it is

important and serves many purposes. It protects goods fi"'om breaking,
shrinking, and spoiling. It reduces the cost of transportation of the
goods. It can create the impression of a "new product" by changing the
shape or quantity of the goods. It can be a valuable promotional tool by
attracting attention and describing the product, and it can aUrac! your
twge! market by using appealing colors, sty les, shapes, and texlUres.

Wh en plastic packages are eva luated for factors such as above, they are found to be more
su itabl e than any other packagin g type. They are fl ex ibl e, attractive, and ca n be made
wi th different colors. They can a lso be acquired relatively at lower cost, have eye-
catching power, and allow customers to see the product through them. [t is difficult to
think of ways to get products reach consumers without packaging. Thi s is true because
everything that is grown, processed, or made must be packaged for protection,
convenience, and communication. Overall, packaging is an indu strial and marketing
technique for containing, protecting, identitying, and facilitating the sa le and di stribution
of agricu ltural, industrial, and consumer products. For these and many other reasons,
companies especially in developed nations take much care in designing packages.

The package mu st maintain not only the above functions but also the purity and freshness
of the product ' s contents and protect them from the outside environm ent. If the contents
are harmful , co rrosive, or poisonous, th e package must also protect the outsi de
env ironment from being polluted. Besides, the packaging itself must present no chemical
hazard to the environment as well (Ariev, 2008).

Though packaging has the merits mentioned above, it has been criticized fo r
environmental pollution as a result of package wastes. For instance, once packages have
served their purpose, they present a serious di sposa l problem. Besides, seeing curbs ides
in our loca lity with full of pl asti c debri s is a comm on thing. Thi s mi ght be due to lack of
dwell ers' consciou sness to the well-being of their environment. By environment, here it
is to mean the biosphere of the earth that is capab le of supporti ng our life.

3
needs to consi der due to vario us rea sons such as the country's need to be industrialized,
littl e public awareness abou t the adverse effects of package wastes, and marketers seem
little worried about the adverse effects of their marketing activity to th e present or future
of the soc iety, This shows that still a lot remains to be done regarding product packaging
in genera l, and plastic packaging in particular, in Ethiopia,

Plastic packaging has adverse environmental effects , These adverse effects may occur in
the process of producing the package, when the package is in use, and after the package
has served its purpose, This study does not intend to address adverse effects of plastic
packages in the process of producing the package, Instead, it tried to address plastic
packaging issues when the plastic package is in use and after serving its purpose, During
usage, packages may not be strong enough to hold the product and other marketing
requirements such as conven ience to customers, promoting the product, conveni ence for
storage, and the likes, After serving the purpose, plastic packages are criticized for
polluti on as they are throw n away as waste, For instance, littering the environment and
the fact that it requires hundreds of years to decompose are the major ones, Accord ing to
an oflicial web site, for instance, "plastic bottles take 700 years before th ey begin to
decompose in a landfill " (http://earth9 I I ,org/recycling/plastic bottle-recycling/ plastic
bottle-recycl ing -facts/),

A survey in UK shows th at consumers believe that packaging is the top environmental

problem in relation to the products they buy, Less packaging, and more recyclable,
recycled or biodegradable packaging came at the top of their wish li st (DEFRA , 2009),

The Ethiop ian government enacted not to produce or import plastic bags with a thickness
of 0,03millimeters and below for they are the maj or causes of environmental pollution,
Besi des, in the proclamation (Proclamation No, 5 13/2007) , it ha s been indicated that " as
of the date fixed under a directive to be issued by the Authority, it shall be un lawnti to
put on the market any plastic bag that is not labeled to how [S IC] whether it is
biodegradab le or not" (Federa l Negarit Gazeta , 2007),

6
For these and many other related points, plastic packaging is a seri ous issue that needs to
be addressed to meet customers' needs and wants while at the same time ma intaining
cri ti cism to the minimum. The overall purpose of the study is, therefore, to investigate
plastic packaging practices in Ethiopia and come up with some suggesti ons, if any, that
would impro ve the current practice. Overall , the study attempts to find answers to the
following specific questions:

1. Is there packaging policy in Ethiopia? If so, how actionabl e is it?

2. What is the extent of va lue given to plastic packages by sellers of products with
plastic packages in boosting their sale?
3. To what extent do plastic package manufacturers , as well as, their respective
customers consider packaging requ irements?
4. Are there plastic package related regulations that such package manufacturers
shou ld be abided by?
5. What is the attitude of package customers and thei r respecti ve plastic package
manufacturers towards each other?
6. What is th e extent of the env ironmental threat that plastic package wastes have in
the regions understudy?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to examine plastic packaging practices in Add is
Ababa and Oromia Regions considering manufacturers and their respective customers.
Moreover, the specifi c obj ecti ves of this study include the following:

• To identify packaging policy and requirements and see how workab le they are.
• To identify values of plastic packages to sellers of tangibl e products packed with
pla stics.
• To identify some factors whi ch are given more weight than others by plastic
package manu fac turers, as well as, by their respective customers.

7
 • To examine the kind of attitude those plastic package manufacturers and their
respective package customers have towards each other.
• To identify the extent and poss ibl e environmental ha zards caused by plasti c
packaging pra ctices in Addis Ababa and Oromi a Regions.

1.5 Significance of the Study

Thi s study is assumed to be important because it deal s with packaging issues which every
marketer of goods needs to consider. All agricultural and industri al products must be
packaged to get them reach consumers safely. We often see manufacturers, wholesalers,
retailers, and customers with packages to manufacture, pack, distribute, store, and use
tangible products respectively. Environment, rese llers' requirements, product image and
promotion, customers' conven ience, and cost of packaging are factors that good
pa ckagi ng needs to fulfill. These factors are, and will remain to be, sensiti ve and
complex marketing issues requiring thorough understanding, close follow-up , and control
to address them. Therefore, the significance of thi s study includes the following :

• To create awareness among plasti c package manufacturers, their customers,

government , and the soc ieties at large, by pointing out how th ey can extract
max imum benefit from pla stic packaging keeping the present and future needs of
society in mind .
• To serve as an input to consumeri sm and environmental policy making bodies
with spec ifi c to pl astic packaging and en lighten all concerned bodies about what
measures to be taken to make good packaging.
• It will serve as a springboard for those who wish to conduct further resea rch and
ana lysis in related marketing issues.

1.6 Delimitation of the Study

The scope of thi s study is limited both in term s of time and depth. In terms of ti me, th e
study explores only those pl astic package manufacturers that were established and are in
operation since Janu ary 1992 up to January 2008. According to data obtained from

8
Ethiopi an Investment Agency (EIA) and reg ional investment agencies of Addis Aba ba
City Administration and Oromia reg ion , th is period was the time in which signifi cant
growth of in vestm ent was observed.

In terms of depth , the study tri ed to address pl astic packaging practices spec iti c to fi nns
producing plastic packages and those in need of acquirin g these packages (thei r
cOITespond ing customers). Moreover, the study does not address the technical issues as to
how pl astic packages are processed and the chem istry used in making them in the factory.
It simpl y eva lu ates the fulfillment of package requirements practiced by plastic package
manufacturers and their respecti ve customers. Though there are three parti es : package
manufacturers, package customers, and users of products packed with plastic package
and that packaging issue is assoc iated with them all, thi s study addresses onl y packaging
practices of package manufacturers and their respecti ve customers.

Besides, according to the Central Statistical Agency report on Large and Medium Scale
Manufacturing and Electricity Industri es Survey (Statistical Bulletin No. 431, October
2008), the Addis Ababa City Administration takes the lea d (about 52%) and the Oromia
Region fo ll ows (about 16%) in terms of inves tment projects li censed in Ethi opia so far.
Similarly, plastic package manufac turers li censed in these areas follow the same trend .
Thus, it is preferred to survey plastic packaging practices in these areas.

1. 7 Operationa l Detlnition of Key Terms

Environment: All the conditions or circumstances that surround and influence life on
earth, including atmospheric conditi ons, food chains, and the water cyc le
(Agnes, 2000)

Package: Container in which goods are packed for sa le, storage, or transportati on.

Package Customers: Fi rms that sa le their products packing with plastic package to
resell ers or final co nsumers.

Package manufacturers : Indu stries that produce and sa le plastic packages to package
customers.

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Plastic Packaging: All activities including the producti on, acqu isition, or use of plastic
packages for the purpose of storage, transportati on, and promoting tang ibl e
goods.

Region : Any of those parts of Ethiopi a spec ified as regions under Article 47( 1) of the
Constitution of the Federal Democrat ic Republic of Ethi opi a including th e
Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa Adm inistrat ions.

10
 CHAPTER TWO

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

As a component of any research work, a review of related literatures must be done to get
an insight to the problem and its so luti on. Wi th this in mind , this chapter prov ides a
theoretical framework fo r pl astic packaging pract ices through the explanation of concepts
and research works that are carried out so far both at nati onal and international leve ls. In
thi s regard , related topi cs such as overview of packagi ng, development of pl astics, brief
hi story of packaging, functions of packaging, importance of packaging, packaging
criticisms, packaging considerations, packaging poli cy and regul ations, and managin g
packaging waste are rev iewed hereunder.

2.1 Development of Plastics

Plastics have been used for many and varied purposes for about centuri es . Th ey are used
for packaging, construction, automobi les, boats, pipes, consum er goods, and electronics,
to men tion a few.

The deve lopment of plastics can be viewed into two major categories as natura l plastics
and man-made pla stics. Humans were usi ng natural plastics for variou s purposes since
many years ago. Egyptians, for instance, soaked burial wrappings in natural resin s to
help preserve their dead for long (Richardson, 2008). Humans were also using animal
horn s and tortoise shell s, whi ch conta in natural resins, for centuri es to make such items as
spoons, combs, buttons, and the likes.

However, natural plastics have many shortcomings. For one thing, many of them were in
short supply. For another, they were difficult to mold . Due to these and many other
drawbacks , sc ienti sts began to fi nd more effic ient ways and re li able plastic source
materials than they were havi ng. Hence, scientists began conducting experimentations in
their laboratories. After numerous repeated tri als , a British sc ientist Alexander Parkes
introdu ced the first man-made plastic, ca lled Parkesine 111 1862

11
(http://www.inventors.about.comfodfpstartinventio nsfafplasti cs). Parkesine, once hea t is
appli ed on it, could be molded and retain ed its shape when cooled. Due to the high cost
of raw material s needed in its production , Parkesine was getting lost its lu ster. Moreover,
th
during the latter part of the 19 century, elephants were killed for ivory in making bi lli ard
balls. Thi s had initiated one American scienti st, John Wesley Hyatt , to replace ivory
billiard ball s by some other pla stic product. Finall y, he came upon the soluti on in 1869
with a plastic, called Celluloid (http://www.americanchem istry.com/sylastics).Th is
material is still in use today under its chemical name, call ed cellul ose nitrate.

th
Since the early 20 , it is possible to say that substantial improvements of plastics were
observed in every consecutive decade. In the year 1909, an American chemist, Leo
Hendrik Baekeland, came up wi th the first completely synthetic man-made plastic, which
he na med Bakelite and most popularly known as Phenolic . Thi s liquid, Bakelite once
hardened and took the shape of its container, wou ld form and remain the exact replica of
the vesse l that contain ed it. One major quality of a plastic mad e of Bakelite is that it
would not burn , boil , or melt. That is, o nce it was firml y set, it would never change its
shape. Thi s quality stands it out from those of the previous plasti cs. Dr. Jacques Edwi n
Brandenberger, a Swiss textil e engineer, is the first person who came up w ith an idea of
clear protective packaging (http://www.americanchemistry.com/ sy lasti cs). He came up
with this idea because he saw the waiter removing the cloth that the customer pours a
bottle of wine and rep lacing it with another one. Brandenberger thought that the c loth
could easily be cl eared if a flexibl e film were applied to it . After his repeated trial , he
found Vi scose, also known as Rayon, to be added to c loth yet the result was a brittle
material that was too stiff for any use. This led him to develop a new machine which he
called Ce ll ophane that could produce Vi scose sheets in an improved form. Thi s ti me was
the mark of hav ing a cl ear layer of packag ing for any product. In other words, that was
th e time for the first full y fl ex ible and waterproof wrap to emerge.

Another remark abl e improvement in th e development of pl astics in the 1920s was the
introduction of Polyv inyl C hloride (PVC or Vinyl for short) and Ny lon. It has good

12
chemical resistance and has a res in identifi cation code of "3". It has also a resistance to
grease, oil , and chemical s (http://www.polymerplastics.com/ hi storyy la stics.shtml).

In the 1930s another important innovation took pl ace: the development of polystyrene
(PS) wh ich was great for food packaging. It is a versati le plastic that can be rigid or
foamed. Relatively, it has a low melting point. Its typica l applications include protective
packaging, foodservice packaging, bottles, and food containers. Polystyrene can be
recyc led and has the number "6" as its recycling symbol. The 1930s, generally, was
regarded as a period of revolution for modern package manufacturers to emerge.

Still another development in plastics is the introduction of Pol yethylene (PE) in the 1940s
(http://www.polymerp lastics.com/history plastics.shtml). Pol yeth ylene is commonly
used to make many types of bottles such as soda bottles, milk jugs, grocery and dry-
c leaning bags, and similar other food storage containers
(http: //www.americanchemistry.com/).This is the most widely used plastic today.
Basically, th ere are two forms of polyethylen e: high density polyethylene (HOPE) and
low density pol yethylene (LOPE). HOPE is characterized by excellent resistance to most
so lvents, higher tensile strength compared to other forms of po lyethy lene, and relatively
ri gid with useful temperature capabilities. HOPE has number " 2" as a res in identi ficat ion
code. LOPE, on the other hand, is characteri zed by excellent resistant to acids and
vegetable oils, toughness, fl exibility, and relative transparency. This quality makes it
appropriate for packaging applications that require heat sea ling. LOPE has number "4"
as a resin identification code.

[n the 1950s Polypropylene (PP) was introduced. PP ha s good chemica l resistance. It is

strong and has a high melting point (400 degrees Farahanite or more) making it good fo r
hot-fill liquids (http ://www .polymerplastics. comihistoryplastics.shtml).This plastic is
found in flexible and rigid packaging, fibers, and large molded parts of automotive, and
consumer products. It is common ly recycled and has " 5" as a resin identification code.

The 1960s and 1970s also share the introduction of new plastics such as Polyethylene
Terephthalate (PET, PETE) and similar others. PET, al so known as Polyester, is clear,

13
tough, and has good gas and moisture barrier properties. This plastic is commonl y used in
mak ing bottles for soft drinks, water, juice, sports drinks, beer, and for many inj ecti ons-
molded cons um er product conta in ers. Though most thermoplastics can, in principle be
recyc led, PET bottle recyclin g is more pract ica l in most developed nations than many
other plastic app lications. To identify recyclability, PET has a resin ident ifi cation code of
"' I " .

Pl astics have been growi ng into a major industry: from providing improved packaging, to
giving new textil es, and permitting the production of such items as televisions, cars, and
computers. They become component of almost all tangi ble products. For these and many
other reasons, their recogn iti on by users is increasi ng from time to time.

2.2 Brief History of Packaging

The hi story of packaging is hi gh ly associated with the beginning of surplu s production

and use of tangibl e products by humans. The packaging era ca n best be viewed by
categorizing it into two major phases: traditional packaging and modern packaging where
the latter aga in is sub d ivi ded into two phases as before and after World Wa r II .
T rad itiona l packaging is the use of packages in their natu ral form such as gourds, shell s,
and leaves (Welt, 2005). As humans get civi li zed, because packages in natural form do
not fully meet the growing demand of packaging, they began produc ing packages made
of hall owed logs, woven grasses, pottery, and animal organs (Welt, 2008).

Modern packaging is genera ll y believed to have begun since industrial revo lution . In the
first phase of modern packaging era, people began to use packages made of paper, glass,
metal, and plastics. Of the packaging forms mentioned, plastics are the newest packaging
material ever used . The era of modern packaging before World War II is basicall y
characterized by the package's product protection requirement during storage,
transportation, and distribution. The second phase of modern packaging is characteri zed
by another important improvement of packaging: the promotion and consumer concern
requirements.

14
Though there were concerns for packaging before World War II , as ev idenced by the
establishment of such federal agencies as Federal Trade Commission in 191 4 and Food
and Drug Admini stration in 1938 by US government, the War di verted the nationa l
attention from consu mer problems. Major consumer protection activities, therefore, did
not begin until 1960s (Karpatkin and Been, 2008). Yet, 1962 is regarded as the re-birth
of consum er co ncern . There were such cons iderabl e activities as setting forth bas ic ri ghts
of consumers by th e then U.S. President Joh n F. Kennedy in 1962 and th e fo rmation of
Consum er Federation of America in 1967. Moreover, there were increased numbers of
consumer activism in 1960s and 1970s that ca use the issuance of Fair Packag ing and
Label ing Act in 1966 and the Consumer Product Safety Act in 1972 respectively.

Indu strialization, too, has brought significant contribution for nati ons to respond to
packaging prob lems. Among the measures that governments of various nation s have
ta ken include product testing and consumer education, establishing organi zations that test
consumer product and report imp0l1ant matters pertinent to products offered to
consumers, and the likes.

Though the birth of modern packaging industry occurred in 18 10 when two inventors
Heine and Durand took out patents on cans for preserving foods , more advances in the
fab ri cation of contain ers was observed in the late 19 th and ea rl y 20 th centuries (Ariev,
2008). Moreover, the packaging industry gained adva ncement with the introduction of
plastic techn ology . Several pl asti cs, though they were not used for packaging, were
di scovered in the 19 th century. For instance, styrene introduced in 183 1, vin yl chl oride in
1835, ce llul oi d in the late 1960s, and polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) in 1977 (Welt,
2005). Though the use of plastics for packaging pu rpose began si nce 1835, they were
largely used since World War II in a more advanced way.

23 Functions of Packaging

Some scholars regard packaging as a fifth P, along with price product, place, and
promotion (Kotl er and Armstrong, 1996). Thi s shows that packaging and labeling are the

15
most important aspects of a product that require manageria l decision. Packaging is
intended to serve severa l vita l purposes. The most common ones include protecting the
product on its way to the consumer, commun icating the product to consumers, and
meet ing the purpose of convenience for resellers and consumers.

Packaging also protects the product after it is purchased by customers. That is, unlike
unpackaged items, packaged goods generally are more convenient, cleaner, and less
susceptible to losses from evaporation, spilling, and spoilage (Etzel et ai , 2005). A
product is packaged not on ly to meet containment ro le but also to gain acceptance of the
product from middlemen. In other words, a product mu st be packaged to meet th e needs
of wholesal ing and retailing middlemen. A package could be well -design ed and made
attractive for customers. If it does not meet the shelf requ irements of the resellers, it is
un li kely for them to purchase it.

A package has also a power to persuade consumers to buy the product. A well-designed
packaging has a power to catch consumers' attention eas ily. At the point of purchase
such as a supermarket ais le, the packaging can serve as a "si lent salesperson" (Etzel, et al.
2005). In market places such as supermarket and groceries, where a product is little
advertized, packaging serves as the means of communicating with shoppers.

In the past, packaging was intended ma inly to provide protection. Today with its
ma rketing significance fu lly recognized, however, pac ka ging is a major factor in gaining
di stribution and customers (Etzel, et al. 2005).

2.4 Importance of Packaging

One thing as important as a product itself for marketers of tang ible items to con sider is
packaging. Packaging is considered a vital part of a product because it promotes and
protects the product, is va luable both for sell ers and customers in that it makes product
more convenient to use or store, it prevents spoiling or damage, it makes product
handling eas ier, and it promotes a brand both at the point of purchase and even in use .

16
Package characteri stics ha ve a power to create inferences. As cited by Hoyer and
Mc Inni s (in Ca rl McDaniel and R. C. Baker, 1977) a study on "Convenience Food
Packaging and Perception of Product Quality", it is reported as consumers inferred that
Potato chips packaged in pol yvinyl bags were cri sper and better testing than chips packed
in wax-coa ted bags, even though the bags contained the exact sa me chips. Bes ides, it is
indicated that not onl y the package but also the way a given product is packed can crea te
inferences. Consum ers can subj ectively comprehend aspects of an offering based on
inferences they make from the product and the way it is packed (Hoyer and Mclnni s,
2000). Thi s shows that a less qu ality product, if pa cked properl y and in an attracti ve
way, has th e power to ga in the attention o f customers in a shelf. Or a quality product, if
packed poorl y and un attrac ti vel y, fail s to ga in the attention of custom ers in a shelf.

A package has a power to improve a product and hence creates a new market. It can make
an important difference in a new marketing strategy for it meets customers' needs better.

Better protecti ve packaging is very important to manu fa cturers, wholesalers, and

retailers. For whol esalers and retail ers, it prevents them from costs that would incur for
goods damaged in shipment as a result of poor packaging. Aga in, for retail ers, protecti ve
pac kaging can redu ce storing costs by cutting breakage, spoilage, and theft . When
packages are easier to handle, they can cut costs by speedi ng price marking, improv ing
handling and di splay, and sav ing space.

2.5 Packaging Criticisms

Packaging, despite has many benefits, has also certain criti cisms. Hence , marketing
managers are required to make professional and ethica l dec isions. For instance, some
firm s have been criti cized for des ignin g pac kages th at concea l th e weakness of a produ ct
(giv ing consum ers less for thei r money) (Perreault and McCarthy, 2006) , some fi rms
copy the ir competitor's popul ar packaging innovati on without viol ating th e patent, used
package wastes pollute environment, paper packages are criti cized for deforestation, and

17
pl asti c packages w ill not decompose even if they lie 111 a ci ty dump fo r decades
(http://ea rth911. org/recyc lin fi'pl astic bottle-recycling/).

The other point for which packaging is criticized is that it depl etes natural resources
(some firms use larger-than-necessary containers) (Etzel, et al. 2005), it is hazardous
(packages made from aerosol that used chlorofluorocarbons as propellants) (Etzel , et al.
2005), it might mislead (the package size may convey the impression of containing more
than th e actual content it can hold) , and it is expensive (for some products, a package
costs more than the product itself) (Etzel, et al. 2005).

Some pub lics in most devel oped nations perceive packaging as wasteful and unnecessary
(http ://www.i ncpen.org). Thi s negati ve image emanates from the fac t that the package is
usually thrown away atier use. It shou ld, however, be noted that reduci ng the amoun t o f
packaging w ith the sale purpose of reduci ng packaging wastes potentiall y ri sks the goods
we cons ume to damage and become waste du e to breakage, spoilage, and co ntam ination
(http://www. incpen.org). Use of insuffi cient packaging for goods so that they are not
properl y protected means more wastefu l than otherwi se.

Another criticism for packaging is that we often have too much of it. Th at is, there are
too many different layers of packaging on some products. This is usually done so
because goods that are not packaged are more likely prone to damage than goods
properly packaged. In order to reduce costs and increa se profits, companies try to spend
as littl e as possible on packaging and other ex penses rel ated to production
(http://www.incpen.org). Th ere would be no reason to use more packages and incur costs
fo r no purpose. The purpose of using different layers of packaging by finn s that offer
goods is, therefore, to redu ce the total packaging required and to meet different purposes
o f packagi ng needs.

Still anoth er criticism of packaging is that certai n goods are 'over-packaged'

(hnp ://www.incpen.org) so that they deceive public and cause waste as a result of more
material usage . Thi s issue is more reflected especiall y in luxurious items than every-day
items (http://www.incpen.org). Because the nature of luxuri ous goods requires thi s to

18
happen, packaging has to refl ect this requirement as one o f its fun ction. Thi s, however,
does not mea n that there are littl e ca uses of over packaging. For in stance, there are cases
where sma ll mul ti -pac ks are so ld together fo r a spec ial promoti on being over packaged.
If th e package o n the indi vidual item is des igned in such a way that it meets all the
packag ing demand , an addi tio nal layer of packaging around o utside of the items is
unnecessary for protecti on. O ver packaging usuall y happens as a result of lack of
keepi ng up w ith packaging developments. A research report published by the UK Center
for Economi cs and Enviro nmental Development (UK CEE D) has indi cated that "a
percepti on that goods are over-packaged is du e to lack of understanding of the
comprehensive role of the pack."

2.6 Packaging Considerations

Packaging considerations may di ffer fro m package to package depending on the purpose
and type of packaging materi al to be used. According to Robert D. Hi sri ch ( 1990),
pac kaging requi rements such as these must be considered whil e designing packages: ( I)
nll1ct ional requirements, (2) marketing requirements, and lega l requirements.

Under the nll1ctional requirements of packaging des ign fa ctors such as (I ) in-home, (2) in
store or wa rehouse, and (3) producti on mu st be taken into considerati on. In-ho me
requirements need packaging to be convenient to use and sto re. Warehouse criteri a
require that packaging should attract attenti on on the shelf, identi fy the product or brand
and di fferenti ate it from other competing products, communicate benefits and uses, and
attract customers to purchase the item. In-store requirements also di ctates that the
package mu st be designed in such a way that it meets th e need o f retail ers to store on the
shelves or on the fl oor and to process at the check out co unter.

Produ ction req uirement of a package is concerned with th e producti on cost of th e

package. No matter a package desig ner creates a fa ntasti c package that will meet all its
requi rements wel l. If, however, a fi nn cannot produce the package cost-effect ive ly, the
design becomes useless. Another package product ion cons ideration is the prod uction line

19
speed. If a container is too long, wide, or short, it cou ld signifi ca ntl y slow the speed of
the producti o n machin e (Hi srich, (990).

T he marketing requi rement of packaging di ctates that a package should be capabl e

enough to promote and distribute a produ ct. The promoti on requiremen t refers to
apparent size, attenti on draw ing power, impress ion of qua lity, brand name readability,
use of consumer friend ly language labels, and the overall attractiveness of a package
(Hi sri ch, 1990).

By apparent size, it is to mean that a package should look as large as possi bl e wi thout
m isrepresenting the actual content of a product. That is, the dimensions or panels of the
package most likely to be viewed by the consum er should be large enough and the brand
name should be shown on the most visibl e areas printed in large letters.

Based on the product type, nature, and marketer's objective, a package should be made to
appea r attractive, ex iti ng, pure, soft, sexy, or stimulate some other emotio n. Thi s ca n be
materi alized by disp laying the product on the li·ont of the package in th e form of either a
picture or a see-throug h w indow.

Quality impress ion ca n be achieved thro ugh packaging. Because peopl e ma y judge a
prod uct by its package, packag ing is required to meet thi s criterio n. One way to impress
qu ality through packages is by making them attractive. Another is by labeling them
usi ng consum er friendly and understa ndable language. For instance, packaging mistakes
that convey low quality or poor va lue include faded lettering or colors, cheap package
construction , and shabby designs (Hisrich , (990).

The di stribu tion requirement of packaging relates to the transportati on of goods being
offered. With reference to distribution cons ideration of a package, a package should be
capable eno ugh to keep the items sa fe during transportati on. Bes ides, packages mu st
withstand the pressure of several other crates stored on to p of them, resist mo isture, adapt
to temperature changes, and withstand rough handling (Hi sri ch, 1990).

20
Finally, the marketing requirement of a package is with regard to sa fety in usage.
Packaging should meet product usage requirements for future sa les could be lost or the
company cou ld be liab le for the da mage if the package injures the user. Usage
requirements include ( I) c lear instructions, (2) easy to open, and (3) easy to hand le
featu res of a pa ckage.

Sti ll another packaging consideration is to see whether it meets its lega l requirem ent or
not. In most deve loped nations like Western and Europe, labels on the pac kage are
required by law to include such information as company name, company address, net
weight, quanti ty, ingred ient labe l, nutrition label, and the likes. The most in fl uent ial law
in the United States of A merica that affect packaging is related to labelin g. The Fair
Pac kaging and Labeling Act of 1966 and the 1990 Nutrition Labeling Act in USA are the
most pressi ng ones.

The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act in US A mandates th at every product package or
label must di spl ay or specify in formation such as the product type, the producer's name
and location, the quantity of the product (if applicab le), and the number and size of
serving (if applicabl e), on its part where most likely consumers can see it. The Nutrition
Labe ling Act, on th e other hand, req uired packages to conta in more nutriti onal
information. It also requires labels on edible products mu st prov ide sodiu m content if
other nutritional information is shown . In this case, ingred ients on the label mu st be
shown in descending order: from the one of the highest quantity to th e one of the lowest
quan tity.

2.7 Packaging Policy and Regulations

2.7.1 Packa gin g Policies and Regulations in Developed Countries

Many countri es in the world , be it developed or underdeveloped, have environmental

laws in order to keep their nation s life sustai nable. These laws, however, may vary from
country to country or even from state to state depending o n the nature and type of

21
economy, knowledge towards the environment, the political system, and the degree of
concern that a given country has.

Packages must be made in a soc ially responsible manner. Beca use of consumers '
criticism of misleading packages in the U.S., the US government passed Federa l Fair
Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966 (Perrault and McCarthy, 2006). Thi s Act requires
that cons umer goods be clearly labeled in easy-to-understand terms so that consum ers
cou ld get more information.

It is not on ly in USA that packaging acts were regulated, but in United Kingdom as wel l.
The UK government has formu lated packaging policy to minimize the environmental
impact of packaging over its whole lifecycle, without compromising its ability to protect
the product. This can be achieved through optimizing packaging by design ing it in line
with susta inabi lity princip les. Here, by sustainability principle, it is to mean that
packages should be designed with re-usability, recyclability or recovery in mind as a
standard (www.defra.gov. uk). Besides, when the right amount of packaging is used,
fe wer packaging raw materials are required and transportation costs can be reduced.
When it is so, it will be good for people, business, and for the planet as well
(www.defra .gov. uk).

2.7.2 Environmental Laws ill Ethiopia

Ethi op ia is one or th ose countries having an environmenta l law. So far, it has issued such
environmen ta l procl amations as (I) Environmental Protection Organs Establ ishm ent
(Proclamation No. 295/2002), (2) Envi ronmenta l Impact Assessment (Proclamation No.
299/2002), (3) Environmental Pollution Control (Proclamation No. 300/2002), and (4)
Solid Waste Management (Proclamation No . 513/2007). City Government of Add is
Ababa on its part has issued Waste Management, Co ll ection, and Di sposa l (Regulation
No. 13/2004).

Of these proclamations and regu lations, it can be noted that onl y Solid Waste
Management Proclamation (Proclamation No. 51312007) and Waste Management,

22
Co llec tion, and Di sposa l Regulation (Regulation No. 13/2004) are directl y related to
packaging. O thers focus on general concerns for environment.

2.7.2.1 Environmenta l Protection Organs Establis hm ent Proclamation

T he Environmental Protecti on Authority (EPA) of Ethiopia was fi rst estab li shed in 1995
by Proclamation No. 9/ 1995. After hav ing gone thro ugh several restructuring, it became
to have the present stru cture on October 3 1, 2002 by Proclamation No . 29512002. Th e
A utho rity has been re-establi shed with the obj ecti ve to formul ate strategies, laws, and
standards that enable to fos ter social and economi c developments w hil e keeping the
sa fety of the environment sustainable and to ensure that their impl ementati on is natural
(http://www.epa.gov.et).

T he Authority has numero us powers and duti es such as ( I) preparati on of env ironmental
po licies, strategies, and laws, (2) establ ish a system for environmental impac t assessment,
(3) execute or supervise projects subj ect to fed era l licensing or review environmen ta l
impact study reports of proj ects and not ifY its decision to the concerned licensed agency
if the proj ect involves inter-reg ional impacts, (4) in consultati on with competent
agencies, formulate environmental sa fety policies and laws on the prod ucti on,
importati on, management and utili zation of hazardous substances or wastes and
di scourage malpractices that may hamper sustainabl e use of natural resources or the
prevention of environmental degradat ion or polluti on (Proc lamat ion No. 29 5/2002) , are
few of them.

In order to execute its duti es and responsibiliti es, the Authority is organi zed in such a
way that it has ( I) one Env ironment In fo rmati on Center, (2) seven Services, where
Reg ional Affa irs Co-ordi na ti on Service is one, and (3) six Departm ents that include
Environm ent al Poli cy and Legislati on Department and Polluti on Control Departm ent.
Bes ides, th ere are Di rector General an d Depu ty Di rector General Offi ces th at are
responsi bl e for the overall supervision of the Center, the Services, and the Departments
(http ://www.epa.gov.et).

23
Accordi ng to the proclamation, environment means the totality of all materia ls whether in
their natura l state or modi fied or changed by human ; their ex terna l spaces and the
interacti ons whi ch affect their quality or quantity and the welfa re of human or other
li ving being including but not restricted to, land, atmosphere, weath er and climate, water,
li ving things, sound, odor, taste, socia l factors, and aesthetics (P roclamati on No
295/2002). Thi s shows that the marketing acti vity of packaging shou ld be conducted in
an environmenta ll y fri endly manner for it cannot be implemented out of the scope of th is
definition. Moreover, Authority and Competent Agency respectively means th e
Environmental Protection Authori ty re-establi shed under Article 3 of this proc lamation
and any federa l and regiona l government organ entru sted by law wi th responsibility
related to the subj ect specified in the provi sions w here the term is used (Proclamation No.
295/2002). The word protection in the proclamation is defi ned as sustai ning of th e
essenti al characteristics of nature and enh ancing th e capaci ty of the natural resource base
with a view to safeguarding the interest of the presen t generati on without compro mi sing
the oppo rtunity for the future (Proc lamation No. 29512002).

2.7.2.2 E nvironmental lmpact Assessment Proclamation

The second envi ronment related procl amation is the Environm enta l Impact Assessment
(Proclamation No. 299/2002). According to this proclamation, assessment of possible
impacts on the enviro nment prior to approva l of a public in strument (a poli cy, a strategy,
a law or an internationa l agreement) is important in promot ing susta inable economic,
cultura l, and social developments. [t is also ind icated that environmenta l impact
assessment is used to predict and manage the environmenta l effects by a proposed
development activity whi ch is to be imp lemented or bei ng impl emented.

In the proclamati on document, it is also indicated that poll utants are any substance
w heth er liq uid, sol id , or gas whi ch directl y or indirectl y alters the qu ality of any part of
the environment. Tho ugh one of the func ti ons of packagin g is protecting the prod uct
fi-om po llu ting or being po lluted, packages after the use of products are consi dered as
waste and ha ve to be well managed not to po llute the environment.

24
Proclamation No . 299/2002 ma ndates that no person shall comm ence implementation of
any proj ect that requi res e nvironmenta l impact assessmen t with out authori za tion from the
authority or fi'om the relevant regional agency. It a lso dictates th at any li cens ing agency
shall , prior to issu ing an investment permit or a trade or an operating license for any
project, ensure that the A uthority or the concerned regional environmenta l agency has
authorized its implementation.

The proclamation also specifies the duties of proponents to include the following:

I. A proponent shall undertake an environmental impact assessment, identify the

likely adverse impacts of his/her project, incorpo rate the means of their
prevention or containment and submit to the authority or the relevant regiona l
environmental agency the envi ronmental impact study report together wi th the
docum ents determined as necessary by the Authority or the releva nt regional
e nvironmental agency.
2. A proponent shall ensu re that the env iro nmental impact of his/her project is
co nducted and the environmental impact study report prepared by experts th at
meet the requ irements specified under any directive issued by the Authority.
3. Th e cost of undertaking an environmental impact study report shall be borne by
the proponent.
4. When implementing hi s/her project, a proponent shall ful fi ll th e term and
conditi on of authorizati on (Proc lamation No. 299/2002).

According to this proclamation, th e proponent is req uired to undertake an environmental

impact assessment and bear all related costs. Besides , the intent of this proclamation is to
prevent th e environme nt from pollution instead of monitoring and controll ing projects for
their environmenta l ca use after implementation.

2.7.2.3 Environmenta l Pollution Co ntrol Proclamation

The third e nvironm ent related proclamatio n is the Environmental Pol lution Control
(Proclamation No. 300/2002). Accord ing to thi s proc lamat ion, po lluti on is any cond ition
whi ch is hazardou s to hum an hea lth, safety, or welfare or to li ving things created by

25
altering any phys ical , radioacti ve, thermal, chemical, biological, or other property of any
part of the environment. In the proclamation, it is stated that control of polluti on shall
include mechanisms such as (I ) enforcing a person engaged in any fi eld of activity which
is likely to cause polluti o n, when th e A uth ority or the relevant regional environmental
agency so dec ides, install a sound techno logy that avoids or reduces to the required
minimum , the generation of waste and , w hen feasible, appl y methods for the recycl ing of
waste, (2) enforcing a person who ca uses any pollution to clea n up or pay the cost of
cleaning up the polluted environment in such a manner and within such a peri od as shall
be determined by the Authority, (3 ) taking all necessary measures up to the closure or
relocation of any enterprise that is believed to have cause a risk by th e Authority or
concerned regional env ironmenta l agency, among others.

The management and control of polluti on is not left to the Environmenta l Protecti on
Authority of Ethiopia or the respecti ve Regional Environmenta l Agencies alone. Rather,
all urban administrators are also responsi bl e for managing municipal wastes . Hence, as
indicated in the proclamation, muni cipal wastes shall be mana ged in the manners
indicated below:

I. All urban adm inistrations shal l ensure the coll ection, transportation , and, as
appropri ate, the recycling, treatment or safe di sposa l of muni cipal wastes through
the institution of an integrated muni cipal waste management system.
2 . In collaboration wi th the releva nt regio nal environmental agency, the authority
shall monitor and eva luate the adequacy of muni cipal waste management systems
and en sure the effectiveness of their implementation.
3. Any person responsibl e for the mai ntena nce of any premises to which the public
has access shall , at all times, ensure that adequate and suitable toil ets and
containers and other required fac ilities are provided for the di sposa l of waste.
4. The Authority shall, in co llaboration with the relevant regiona l environm ental
agencies and any other competent agencies, monito r the s itu ati on with regard to
the ava il ability of wast e disposal facilities and take the necessary measures to
ensure that their avai lab ility is satisfac tory (Proc lamation No. 30012002).

26
 2.7.2.4 So lid Waste Management Proclamation

The fo urth and the last, as of this paper, environm ent related proclamation is the sol id
waste management (Proclamation No. 513/2007). The obj ective of th is proclamation , as
stated in the document, is to enhance at all levels, capacities to prevent the possible
adverse impacts wh ile creating economi ca ll y and soc iall y benefic ial assets out of so lid
waste. Acco rdin g to thi s proc lamatio n, plastic packages are recogni zed as o ne of the
sol id wastes and shall be well-managed.

The proc lam ation defined solid waste as "any thing that is neither liquid no r gas and is
discarded as unwanted. " Moreover, so lid waste management means "the collection,
transpo rtation, sto rage, recycling or di sposa l of so lid waste, or the subsequent use of a
di sposa l site that is no longer operationa l. "

The solid waste management dictates, in clear terms, the following with spec ific to
plastic bags.

I. As of the date fixed under a directive to be issued by the Authority, it shall be

unlawful to put on th e market any plastic bag that is not labeled to how [SIC]
w hether it is biodegradab le or not.
2. It is prohibited to grant permit for the manufacture or importation of any non
biodegradable plastic bags with wa ll thickness of 0.03 millim eters and less than
0.03 millimeters.
3. Without prej ud ice to Sub-Article (2) of this A rtic le (Article No.8) , the Authori ty
shall , though the issuance of a directi ve, determine the conditions under whi ch
pl astic bag with wa ll thickness of 0. 03 mi llimeters and less than 0.03 millimeters
may be imported or manufacnll'ed locally for specifi c purpose (Proc lamatio n No.
513/2007).

2.8 Managing Packaging Waste

Open landfill or dumping is th e predom inant di sposa l route for waste in Ethi op ia. Waste
management and di sposa l give rise to a num ber of environmenta l ri sks and related issues

27
in most devel oped nati ons. These include landfill pollution ri sk, incineration pollutio n
ri sk, and insuffic ient di sposa l site (Brady, 2006). The basic princip le in th e waste
management strategy of UK is the waste hi erarchy. The hi erarchy in in creas in g
desirabi lity is reducti on, reu se, recovery (recycling, composting, etc), and di sposal
(Brady, 2006). In th e strategy, waste reducti on is indi cated as the fi rst priority and
di sposal as the last option.

As packag in g waste reducti on strategy, it is importa nt to avo id over packag ing and
reduce the use of single-u se packages. Des igning packages in such a way that th ey could
serve vari o us purposes is a strategy indicated second in the waste management opti on.
Recyc ling is th e third strategy in th e hi erarchy. Beca use pl ast ics are one of the materia ls
that lend th emsel ves to recycl ing, plastic packaging wastes can be reduced to the
minimum level required through th is method.

For efficient management, wastes can be classified into similar types. According to
European Union legis lati on, they are identified as controlled waste, hazardous waste, and
spec ial waste (Brady, 2006) . Controll ed waste includes hou sehold, industri al, and
commercial wastes with little harmful property. Hazardous wastes are controlled wastes
with various tox ic or harm ful properties. Spec ial wastes are sill controll ed wastes with
haza rdous properties so that they require extra controls. They are considered to be
capab le of hann ing the environm ent at most or are dangerous to human life unless they
are properl y managed.

Accordin g to Addi s Ababa Solid Waste Admi nistrati on Poli cy , so lid wastes are class ifi ed
as ( I) ho useho ld wastes, (2) commercia l house wastes, (3) insti tution wastes , (4) medi ca l
inst ituti on wastes, (5) road wastes, (6) remnants of co nstruction was tes, (7) industrial
wastes, and (8) liquid remnant wastes. [n the document, pl astic packages are identifi ed as
household wastes, co mmercial house wastes, and medical insti tuti on wastes (Sol id Waste
Admini strat ion Poli cy document, 1995).

Management of waste is about storage, handling, transfer, and di sposa l of wastes

thro ughout their entire lifecycl e. Wastes shoul d be stored in suitable co ntainers, properl y

28
handled, transferred on ly to the authorized body, and di sposed of with very little
economic and environmental risk.

One best method of waste management is minimization . By minimization it is to mean

that reducing or preventing wastes before they are generated. This brings about both
environmental and fin ancial benefits (Brady, 2006). Specific to managin g packaging
wastes, it is important to avoid unnecessary packaging or over packaging, where possible
use packagi ng that can be returned to the suppli er for reuse, and use recyclable and
environmentally friendly packages. Moreover, packaging wastes can be minimized
through integrated efforts between and among those that convert material into packaging,
manufacture packag ing materials, pack and fill packaging with product, and sa le products
with packag ing.

Waste disposal may be done in such ways as dumping, land- fi lli ng, incineration, or
recyc ling. Dumping is collecting and putting wastes in a s ite where they are stored for
specific period of time. Land-filling is placing so lid wastes on or under the ground in a
manner not harmful to human health. Incineration is a method of disposing solid wastes
using specia l burning in strument for such intended purpose. Incineration shou ld be don e
in a manner that safeguards air pollution. Recycling is a means of ex tracting val uabl e
materials from solid wastes for the purpose of manufacturing new but similar or different
from the origina l product.

29
 CHAPTER THREE

3. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the research design and methodology used for the study are described.
The research design determines th e way the study is approached in surveying plastic
packaging practices. The research methodology, on the other hand , is about the study
population, the source of data, the data coll ection instruments, the pilot test, the sampling
procedures and techniques, and how data are analyzed.

3.1 The Research Design

To reiterate, the objective of thi s study is to survey the practices of plastic packaging in
Addi s Ababa and Oromia Regions. Because there are man y plastic package
manufacturers throughout Ethiopia and the time limit set for writing the th esis is one
year, it is difficult to include all th ese firm s in the study. Hence, the survey is li mited to
two se lected regions, namely Addis Ababa City Administration and Oromia Region. The
survey is on packaging policy, contribution of pl astic packages in buosting a sale,
packaging requirements, pl astic package rel ated regulations, attitudes of plastic package
manufacturers and their customers towards each other, and threat of plastic package
wastes on environment in the regions mentioned above. To address these issues, both
qualitative and quantitative data are required. Primary data are obta ined from pla stic
package manufacturing owners or representati ves, plasti c package users, and concerned
government officials. For secondary data, relevant documents such as policy and legal
documents are reviewed. Finally, related literatures are reviewed to highlight various
concepts, issues, and practices of pa ckag ing.

30
3.2 The Research Methodology

3.2.1 Subjects of the Stud y

The popul ati on o f thi s study consists of pl ast ic package manu fac tu rers, their respecti ve
customers, and concerned government offi cials. Based on the in fo rmation obtained from
the respect ive Investment Agencies of the two Regions, there are eleven pl asti c package
manu factu rers in the selected regions. As per the inform ati on obtained from plasti c
manufac turers sampl ed for the study, there are as many as 235 pl astic package custo mers.
Government o ffi c ials from En vironmental Protection Authority and Quali ty and
Standards Authori ty of Ethi opi a are also part of the popu lati on for addressing the
environmental aspect o f packaging.

3.2.2 Data Sources

Th e data sources fo r thi s study are plastic package manufacturer representati ves , plastic
pac kage users, and concerned govern ment offi cia ls fo r primary data and poli cy and other
re lated documents for secondary data. Th e student resea rcher 's personal observati on is
also another source of the primary data . In obta ini ng the primary and secondary data,
various data coll ecti on instruments were used.

3.2.3 Data Collection Instruments

The instruments used fo r coll ecting the primary data were questi onna ires, guided
interviews , an d observations by the student researcher. Questi onnaires were designed in
such a way that they would enab le the student researcher gather pert inent in forma ti on
about th e subj ect under study. The questionnaires include both open and close ended
item s. The purpose for whi ch questionnaires were designed is to co ll ec t relevant data
[i'om package manu fact urers and users of th ei r prod uct. Gui ded interv iews were
deve loped spec ific to EPA, QSAE, and In vest ment offi cials. Poli cy docu ment s, pro fil e of
plastic package manufacturers, periodi c reports, and other simil ar writt en lega l
doc uments like FDRE Negarit Gazeta and Addis Nega ri Gazeta were in strum ents
employed for ga thering secondary data.

31
 3.2.4 Instrument Reliability Test

To see how appropriate th e instruments are in meeting th eir purpose, questionnaires were
tested for rel iability. Though there are many ways of testing in stru ments for
appropriateness, th e approach used here is the expert judgment. To do so, the instrum ents
were given to two ex perts with similar ed ucati onal background and ex peri ence. These
experts were provided with a dichotomous categorica l rating sca le: " I" for appropriate
and "0" for not appropriate, for both instruments developed for pa ckage manu fac turers as
well as package customers. Then , the consistency of the two raters' response (the inter
rater reliability) was ca lculated . The result was found to be 0.56 for the instruments of
package manufacturers and 0.66 for th e instruments of package customers (See Appendix
II A, 11 B, and I I C). Based on the poss ible inter rater reli ability test interpretation, the
first one has moderate agreement whil e the second one has good agreement. Thi s
indicates that both instruments have acceptable degree of reliability. Besides, experts had
commented the need for translating the questi onnaire for package customers into
A mharic language for custo mers may not be as good as package manufacturers to
understand it. The questionnaire was translated as per the com ment. Having done all the
necessary adj ustments, instrum ents were prepared and admini stered.

3.2.5 Sa mpling Procedures and Techniques

In this study, probabil ity sampling with stratifi ed and simple random sa mpling techniques
was used. The reason for using a stratifi ed sampling procedure is to take proportiona l
samples both from each stratu m, namely Addi s Ababa and Oromia regions. The number
of Plastic package manufacturers operat ing in Addi s Ababa and Oromia regions is eight
and three, respecti vely. Of all the pl asti c package manufacturers, five manu facturers
(four from those operating in Addis Ababa and one operating in Oromia region) were
randomly drawn. Sim ilarly, as per the informati on obtained from sampl ed package
manufacturers' offi cia ls, it becomes evident that, in aggregate, there are about 235 act ive
plastic package customers. Before the sa mpl e package customers were drawn , th ey were
stratified into five mutua ll y exclusive groups based on produ ct type fo r wh ich th ey use a
given plast ic package. Based o n the strat ifi cat ion, 125 use the plasti c package for food ,

32
18 for beverages and water, 15 for cosmeti c, 14 for drug, and 63 for packaging
mi scell aneous items. According to Krejcie and Morgan (1970), a samp le size of 144 is
reco mmended as sufficient fo r a population size of 240. Based on this, a sample size of
150 package customers; 12 from beverages and water, 10 from cosmetic, 8 Il'om drug, 80
from food , and 40 from misce llaneous plastic package users were proportionall y drawn
from each stratum with a separate draw usi ng simp le random sa mpling techniques.

3.2.6 Methods of Data Ana lysis

In th e study, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis are emp loyed to
produce a valid resea rch report. The data are summari zed in tables in the form of
frequencies, percentages, and standard or in terpo lated med ian measures, wherever
ap propriate, and are described qualitatively and quantitatively. Besides, one of the
popular rank correlation statistics known as Spearman's rank correlation coeffic ient is
applied to measure the relati onship between two rankings on the same set of items and
assess its consistency and sign ificance . Moreover, to ana lyze the Likert sca le of opinion
survey items, the med ian va lue is appli ed as it is the midpoint or fiftieth percentile value
of a variable (half of the va lues of the variabl e fa ll below the med ian and th e other half
above it) and thi s is assumed to be more appropriate among the most used central
tendency measu res. As the distributions are not symmetri ca l in the Likert sca le opinion
survey items, the standard median does not reflect the skewed di stribu tion of the scores.
For this reason, interpo lated median; slight med ian adjustment of the standard median
according to the distributi on of the scores is more appropriate, and is chosen over the
standa rd median. Therefore, these methods of data analysis are used to interpret,
summarize, conclude, and suggest appropri ate recommendations.

33
 CHAPTER FOUR

4. PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION

OF THE RESULTS

In this part of the thes is, data gathered through questionnaires and interviews are
presented, ana lyzed, and the results of the analysis are interpreted usi ng frequencies,
percentage, and standard or interpolated median measures. To collect rel evant data , five
qu estionnaires were distribu ted to plast ic package firm owners or officers and 150
questi onnaires were distributed to plastic package customers. All questionnaires
distributed to package manufacturers were co llected. However, it was poss ible to coll ect
on ly 142 questionnaires from those distributed to plastic package customers. When the
response rate is calculated, it is found to be 95%. Data obtained through interviewing key
officials and practical observations are also included.

Thi s chapter is divided into two major sections: Results based on questionnaires and
resu lts ba sed on guided interviews. In the discussion of rt,su lts based on questionnaircs,
themes such as common plastic package forms , role of a package designer, product
wastage and its damage extent, plastic package contribution in boosting a sale, packaging
fun ct ions and considerations, views of cllstomers and package manufacturers and their
customers towards each other, customers' overall service sati sfaction level, and plastic
packagi ng versus concern for environment are looked at. In the di scussion of the results
ba sed on gu ided interviews, on the other hand , subjects sllch as packagi ng policy in
Ethiopia, the environmenta l threat of plastic package wastes in Addis Ababa and Oromia
Reg ions, in vestment demand for plastic packages, collaboration and complaint reporting,
and packaging standard issues are dealt with.

34
 SECTION ONE: DISCUSSIONS OF RESULTS BASE D ON THE
QUESTIONNAIRES

4.1 Common Plastic Package Forms

Plasti c packages can be produced in different forms to serve vari ous purposes. They ca n
be made co lorful or co lorless. They can also be shaped into almost any form. Tab le I
below shows th e common types of plastic package forms that are being produced by
packa ge manufacturers and are also used by package customers in Addis Ababa City
Admini stration and Oromia Regi on.

Tab le I : Plastic Package Forms

Respondents Category
Plastic package forms Package Package
Manufacturers Customers
11=5 11=142
n 11 0/0

Plastic bottle 2 28 19.72

Plastic iar 1 4 2.82
Plastic Dot 1 19 13.38
PP woven bag 1 23 16.20
Low density polyethylene I 25 17.60
Plastic shopping bag 4 33 23.24
Plastic roll 3 82 57. 74
Total 13' 214' 150.70'
*To/(// respol/ses obtained are higher than "/1" du e /0 multiple responses.
Source: Responses slfmmarized/rom the s fUdy questionnaire

As indi cated in Table I, the most frequ entl y used package type by package custo mers is
plastic roll (57.74%). Plastic shopping bags (23.24%) and plastic bott les (19.72%) are the
second and third type of packages being used, respectively. The least used plastic
package type is the jar (2 .82%). From the perspective of plastic package manufacturers,
four rep li ed that they produce shopping bags, three repli ed that they produce pla st ic roll
package forms, and two rep lied that they produce plastic bott les. Thi s shows that th e

35
most com mon ly produced plastic package by the manufacturers is "shoppi ng bags" . The
second is "plastic ro ll " and the third is " plastic bottles". From plastic package
manufacturers, as well as, from the users perspective, pl astic roll, shopping bag, and
plasti c bottle stand out more vividly than all the other form s of plasti c packages. Thi s is
so because the producti on of plastic packages in the form of roll as well as shopping bag
mi ght not require a much sophi sticated technology or perhaps the market demand for
th ese packages is more than the demand s for the other forms of pl astic packages. Thi s is
an indication that there is greater degree of environment pollution vulnerability in the
form of litter. For o ne thing, in most cases such package wa stes are difficult to co ll ect.
For another, the nature of such packages does not le nd itse lf to re-u sability as well as
recyc lability.

4.2 Role of a Packaging Designer

A pa ckaging des igner fo r package manufacturers is one who is responsible for the
production of a spec ific package as per the spec ification set by a customer. From
customers' perspective, this person is one who is responsible for the overall design such
as shape, size, color, and the type of package form to be uscd.

Table 2: Need for Packaging Designer

Respondent Category

Package Package
Response
Question Manufacturers Customers
Category
n=5 n=142
n n %
Yes 3 69 48.59
Do you have pla stic packaging designer?
No 2 73 5 1.41

Total 5 142 100

Sou/'ce: Respollses summarized/rom th e study qlleslIonnmre

As ind ica ted in Table 2, three of the package manufacturers replied that they have plastic
packaging des igner w hile two package manufacturers rep li ed that they do not. Perhaps

36
thi s is either beca use of lac k of sk ill ed personnel in the packaging fi eld or the necess ity of
having a packagi ng designer has not been felt by some package manufacturers.

It is a lso indicated that the majority of the respondents in package customers (5 1AI %),
rep lied that they do not have pl astic package designers. Besides, plast ic package
manufacturers were asked what they would like to do so that thei r customers' needs are
fulfilled to maximi ze ga in out of packaging. Most of them replied that customers do not
come up with packaging specificat ion whil e ordering the production of the package. Th is
might also be part ly because package customers did not have a designer so that packagi ng
requirements such as cost, shape, color, size or simil ar other package spec ifications are
not put forwa rd. Most of plasti c package customers do not ha ve pac kagi ng des igner
probably because either they mi ght ha ve assumed that quality product will sale itself
regardless of the type of package and the way it is packed or because they mi ght have
assum ed that con sumers in less developed co untries do not give credit to a package
prov ided th at they can acq uire a product at minimum pri ce. Thi s indicates that package
man ufacturers as well as package customers are not full y getting packag in g benefits that
could be ga ined from proficiency.

4.3 Product Wastage Due to Poor Packaging

There might be cases where a package fails to meet any of its functions for various
reasons. Some of them are fi rst, when the materia l from wh ich a package is made is of
poor quali ty; second, when package customers fai l to rea li ze appropriate package for
their product; third, when there is defect in the package product ion process by package
manufacturers, and fourth , defect in the pack ing process by package customers.
Therefore, package manu facturers and thei r respective customers were asked to see
whether produ ct wastage cases have occurred or not. Besides, an attempt has been made
to see how seri ous the da mage was or othelwise.

37
Table 3: Product Wastage, Damage Frequency and Ex tent

Res pondents
Category

Question Response PM PC
C atego ry n=5 n= 142

n n %
Are there cases reported from your customers so fa r
Yes 4 - -
regarding product wastage as a result of improper
plastic packaging? No I - -
Total 5 - -
Have you ever reported to your supplier product Yes - 128 90. 14
wastage cases due to improper plastic packaging?
No - 14 9.86

Total - 142 100

PAIl - P(l ckage Mal1uf acturers, PC - Package Customers
Source: Responses SllIlllI1ari:ed from fh e study qllesfiollllaire

As per the information indicated in Table 3, four package manufacturers replied that
product wa stage cases were reported from their package customers. Of the package
manufacturers that replied product wastage cases were reported from their customers, two
of them replied that the cases were reported rarel y, and the other two stated that the cases
were reported very rare ly. Aga in, package customers were asked if they reported si mil ar
cases to their respective package manu fac turers. The majority (90. 14%) repli ed that they
have reported product wastage cases due to improper pl astic packaging and the remai ning
(9.86%) replied that they did not. Those package customers who repl ied product wastage
cases to their respective package manufactu rers were furt her asked to indi cate the
frequency and ex tent of the damage. With respect to frequ ency of the damage, 92
(71.88 %) replied the damage happened rarel y an d four (3. 12%) replied that the damage
happened very often (See Appendix 12) . Again, as for the extent of the damage, 118
(92.19 %) of them repli ed that the damage was bad and ten (7.81 %) replied that it wa s
worse (See Appendix 12). However, there were none who rep li ed the damage as worst.

38
The reported product damage might have been due to vari o us reasons. Some of the
important ones cou ld have been due to absence of packaging designer both in the package
manufacturers and in package customers , lack of technica l skill s of empl oyees producing
the package, availability of technologica l gap between the package producing firm and
th e respective package user, or lack of the required skill by emp loyees of packa ge
man u facturers or package customers as we ll .

4.4 Plastic Packaging and Sales Volume

One of the strategies used by marketers to sale their product is through the use of
attractive packaging. When a package is capable of attracting the attention of consu mers,
it is hi ghl y likely that consumers will buy a produ ct. Pl astic packages are known for th eir
eye-catching ability. In thi s regard, package customers were asked to assess the extent of
plastic packag ing contributi on in increas ing their sales vol um e.

Table 4: Plastic Packaging Contribution in Boosting a Sale

Package
C ustomer
Response
Q uestion (n= 142)
C ategory
n %

How do you rate the contributi on of the plastic Very high 106 74.65
package in boosting you r sa le?
hi gh 29 20.42

Not high 7 4.93

Not at all 0 0

Tota l 142 100

SOllrce: Responses swmnanzed fro m the study queS(/ol1flCllre

As ca n be seen in Table 4 , 106 (74 .65%) package customers replied that the contributi on
of plasti c packages in boosting their sa le is "very high " . None of the respondents replied
that a pla st ic package ha s littl e or no contributio n for a produ ct to sa le. Besides, pl ast ic

39
pa ckage customers were asked to list what makes plastic packages stand out from other
form s of packa ges. Most of them repli ed that plastics are transparent and ha ve the power
to clearly disp lay what they ha ve contain ed; they are relatively li ght in weight; th ey are
not fragile, and have the power to attract consumers on the shelf in space or at di spl ay.
Thi s shows that plastic pa ckages might remain to be dominantl y used in the coming years
prov ided th at they sati sfy packaging functions as we ll as marketing requirements.

The above finding is al so in conformity with th e views of Etzel et al (2005) that

packaging can serve as a "silent sa lesperson". Th ey also pointed out that in market
places such as supermarket and groceries, where a product is little adverti zed , packaging
serves as the mea ns of communicating with shoppers. Therefore, the view of package
manufacturers as well as package users is found to be the same as and in line with th e
concepts di scussed in the related literatures.

4.5 Packaging Functions and Considerations

It is a well known fact that packaging has many fun ctions. The most important ones are
commonly grouped as the packages ability to protect the product from damage, its
convenience for use and storage, and its ability to communicate or inform the product to
users. According to Robert D. Hi srich ( 1990), packaging mu st be designed to meet
fllnctional requirements (convenience to use and store, attracting the attention of
custo mers on shelf, communicating prod uct benefit s, and produ cti o n cost o f the package),
marketi ng requ irements (Appearance, size, attenti on draw ing power, brand name
readability, and use of consumer fri endl y language labels) , and legal requirements (the
label to include information such as name and address of company , net weight, quantity ,
ingredient label, and the lik e). Tabl e 5 attempts to explore plastic package fun cti ons and
consideration s of their manufacturing and use by manufacturers, as well as, their
respecti ve customers, respecti vel y.

40
Tab le 5: Packaging F un ctio ns and Co nsideratio ns

Weighted
Ranks
No. Statement Scores

PM PC PM PC

I Packagin g Fnnctions
a. Communicating the product to users 7 198 )'d 3'd

b. Conveni ence for usage & di stribution 8 252 2 nd 2 nd

c. Protecting the product fi'om damage 15 402 lSI l SI

2 Packaging Co nsideratio ns

a. Conven ience to use and store 10 425 2nd l SI

b. Cost of making or acq uiring th e package 15 280 1st 2nd

c. Concern for environment 5 147 3 ,'d 3'd
PM = Package Manufacturers, PC = Package Customers
Source: Responses summ arized ii'om the study questionnaire

Package manufacturers and package users were asked to rank packaging functions based
on their degree of importance (See Appendix 7 A). Both groups of respondents ranked the
package ' s ability to protect the product from damage as first and communicating the
product to users as last. To measure the consistency between the rankings of the two
groups, the Spearman's rank corre lation coefficient was ca lculated and is found to be I
(See Appendix 7B). Thi s indicates that th e agreement between the two rankings is
consistent. There fo re, from thi s it is poss ible to infer that the pnmary function of
packag in g for both groups is protecting the product from damage .

Moreover, there are certain things that either package manufacturers or package users
must take into account while they are produ cing or acquiring a package. For thi s reason
both groups of respondents were asked to rate such considerations as concern for
environment, convenience to use and store, and cost of making the package whil e
producing or acquiring it. As can be seen from Tabl e 5, concern for env ironment is the
least consideration given both by package manufacturers and users. The groups, however,
rate the other two considera tions differently. Package man ufacturers rank cost of making

41
or acquiring the package as their prime consideration while it is second for package users.
Similarly, package users rank convenience to use and store as their prime consideration
whil e it is second for package manufacturers. Th e environment is least va lued by both
groups of respond ents probably because its adverse effect to humans is not imm ediately
apparent or it mi ght be because the groups' level of consciousness about the emin ent
danger of environmental po llution is low. Again , to measure the consistency between th e
rankings of the two groups, the Spearman' s rank correlation coefficient was calcu lated
and is found to be 0.5 (See Appendix 78). Thi s indicates that the agreement between the
two rankings is not comp letely consistent. The reason for package manufacturers and
package customers have a different view in cons idering the cost of making or acquiring
the package and convenience to use and store might be the purpose for which a gi ven
package is produ ced or used. For manufacturers, what matters most is usua ll y the cost of
production. For package customers, on the other hand, what matters most is the purpose
for which they would like a given package to serve. Thi s difference is also reflected in
how they view each other as revealed hereunder.

4.6 Views of Package ManufactureJ"s and Customers to Each Other

In order to see to what extent plastic package man ufacturers and their respecti ve
customers know each other, both groups were asked to express their agreement or
di sagreement to the statements indi cated in Tabl e 6A and 68. The more the packaging
finn knows what its customers want, the better it wi ll serve its customers. Similarly, th e
more package customers know their package producer, the better the package they could
get for th eir product. Tabl e 6A is about customers' view to their respective packa ge
manufacturer wh il e Table 68 is package manufac turers' views to their customers.

42
Tab le 6A: C usto m ers' View of Package Manu fact urer

No . Statem en t Level n % 1M

I. Above 92 64.79
The producer can supp ly all the
1. 9
quantity ordered timely Below 50 35.21

2. Above 86 60.56
The producer has limited capacity of
2.7
producing the required package Be/ow 56 39.44

3. Above 85 59.86
Delivery is often delayed 2.7
Below 57 40. 14

4. Above 38 26.76
The producer can produce packages
2. 1
with every kind of shape you want Below 104 73 .24

ltv! - tmelpalm ed lv/ec/w/1

Source: Resp onses s/./IlIlI1arized frol1l fh e srI/ely Cjllesfiol'lll a ire

Table 6A indicates customers' view of their respecti ve manufacturers. In this table, the
dichotomies above and below the interpolated median represent those respondents who
agree and disagree to the statem ents, respecti vely (See Appendix 9). Accordingly, 92
(64 .79%) of the respondents agreed to the statement that the producer is able to supply
the required amount of packages timely while 50 (35.2 1%) di sagreed. The majority of
the respondents 86 (60.56%) agreed that the producer has limited capacity of provi ding
the required package, and 85 (59.86%) agreed that deli very is often delayed. These data
indicate th at manufacturers neither have the capacity to provide the required package nor
supply the required amount of package on time. One thing to note here or point out is
that there was an electri city power shortage during the period the study was conducted.
For thi s reason , a shi n system of suppl ying electric power was introduced by the
Ethiopian Electri ci ty Power Authority during the period. Hen ce, this might be one of the
reasons for whi ch package manufacturers were assumed by their customers to have
limited capaci ty of producing the required package and for the deli velY to delay o ften
times.

43
 Regarding the shapes of the packages, 104 (73.24%) of the respond ents di sagreed with
th e statemen t that the producer can prod uce pa ckages with every ki nd of shape custom ers
order whil e 38 (26.76%) of the respondents agreed. These data indicate that it mi ght be
either because package manu facturers did not effecti vely communicate the ir capabil ity to
package custo mers or because package customers' needs or wants for the package are
different from the purpose that package manufacturers perceived.

Table 6B: Package Manufacturers' View of Customers

No. Statement Level n Median

Above 0 Md = 3
I. Customers order plastic packages repeatedl y
Below I (n = 4)
Above 0 Md = 3
2. Customers' order is increasing from time to time
Below 0 (n = 5)
Above 0 Md = 3
3. The number of customers is increasing from time to time Below 0 (n = 5)
Md - MedulII
Source: ReJjJol1 ses sl/I/'/Ilwrized frolll th e srl/dy qu estionnaire

Pac kage manufacturers were also asked to ex press their vIews on the ir respecti ve
customers regarding repeated package order and whether order and the number of
customers are increas ing from time to time or not. Of the fi ve samp led package
manu facturers, four replied that customers place orders repeatedl y while only one repli ed
that customers do not make orders repeatedly . In all other cases , package manufactu rers
replied in uni son that customers order for packages and the number of the ir customers are
increasing from time to time (See Appendix 8). Unlike package custo mers' view of thei r
package manufacturers, package manufacturers seem to have rel atively pos itive atti tude
to their respecti ve customers. As the data in Tabl e 6A indicate, the maj ority of plastic
package customers replied that they face delayed deli very probl ems and limi ted suppl y.
Package manufacturers, however, repli ed that package order as well as the number of
th eir custo mers is increasing from time to time. Perhaps thi s could be due to an in creased
plas ti c package demand due to shortage of raw material as we ll as electri city power
suppl y at the time the data were co ll ected .

44
4.7 Package Manufacturers and Their Customers Relationship

For a package manufacturi ng company to stay competi ti ve and in operati on, it mu st

sat isfy package customers better than what its competitors do. When customers are
di ssatis fi ed with thei r package producers , they ha ve a chance to shift to another package
produ cer espec iall y in a competit ive market situation. With a positive relati o nship, both
g roups have a lot to ga in from each oth er. Therefore, in order to see the relations hip that
package manufacturers have with their customers, package customers were asked to
express the ir agreement or disagreement to the statements indicated in Tabl e 7.

Table 7: Manufacturer-Customer Relationship

No. Question/Sta temen t Level n % 1M

How do you describe the relationship you have

with pl astic package manufacturers?
Above 46 32.39
I. You are satisfied with their service 1.2
Below 96 67.6 1
Above 42 29.58
2. You place orders to a speci fi c produ cer repea ted ly 2.2
Below 100 70.42

You are ob li ged to look for new manu factu rers Above 88 6 1.97
3. 1.9
now and then Belo w 54 38.03
IM - IlIlerpo/C/red A1ed/CIJ'/
Source: Responses summarized from lit e study questionnaire

Tabl e 7 indicates manufacturer-customer relationships. In the table, the dichotom ies

above and below the interpolated median represent those respondents who agree and
di sagree to the statements , respectively (See Appendix 9). As can be seen from the tabl e,
the maj ority of the respondents (67.6 1%) rep li ed that they are not getting satisfying level
of service fi'om their respective package manufacturers. However, there are other
customers (32.39%) who repl ied that they are satisfi ed w ith the service they are prov ided.
The majority of the respondents agreed that they are not getting quality service fro m thei r

45
respective custom ers probably because package manufacturers give more weight to the
tangibl e produ ct, in this case the package, than the accompanying services.

There are va ri ous service quality issues depending on the nature and type of business.
Besides, service quality survey requires more detailed elements to consider. Therefore, it
is diffi cult to conc lude service qua li ty issues based on onl y the data indicated in Tab le 7.
However, it might serve as a cue for the preva lence of customer service di ssat isfacti on in
package manu facturers.

Pl astic package customers were al so asked if they pl ace orders to specifi c package
manufacturers repeatedly or not. Some respondents (29 .5S%) repli ed that they place
orders repeated ly and the maj ority (70.42%) repli ed that they did not.

Still customers were asked if they were obliged to look for new package manufacturers
for any reason. Most of the respondents (61.97%) agreed to thi s statement while some
others (3S.03%) disagreed. A significant number of package customers seems to have a
stand on not placing orders to package manu fac turers repeatedl y and are obli ged to look
for new package manufacturers. For one thing, thi s is probably beca use customers
usually favor least cost bidders. For another, existing package manufacturers mi ght be
intending to raise pri ces du e to fac tors such as more package demand , shortage of raw
material from time to time, and world econom ic downturn while thi s research was bein g
conducted. Th e other issue this research probed into was that pl astic waste and related
env ironmental pollution. This is dea lt with as fo llows.

4.8 Plastic Package Waste Issues and Concern for Environment

As has been indi cated in th e review of rel ated literature, one of the requirements 111

des igning packages is taking the environment into considerat ion. This issue has got a
deep-rooted acceptance in most developed nations. In orper to find out the level of
environmenta l co ncern of package manufacturers as we ll as package custo mers,
environm ental issues in relat ion to packaging were raised to both sampl e groups in the
study. Th ey were asked to express their agreement or disagreement to environment-
related sta tements indi cated in Table SA and SB. Table SA is about package

46
manu facturers' and cu stomers' perception regarding plastic package wastes on
environment . Table 8B, on the other hand , is about assessing possibl e plasti c package
waste effects on environment, who the responsibl e body or agent for these effects is, and,
in the eyes of both groups, who would be the possible environm ental pressure groups in
the near future.

Table SA: Package Manufacturers' and Customers' Views for Plastic Package
Wastes
Respondents
Category n (%) PM, n=5, PC, n= 142 Total
Statement
Disal!rec Undecided Aorcc

PM n 3 0 2 5
Plastic package wastes have an
n 5 23 114 142
adverse environmental effect
PC
% 3.52 16.20 80.2 8 100

PI,,! - Package Manu/actllrer, PC - Package Customer

Source: Responses summarized/rom th e slt/dy questionnaire

Pl asti c package manufac turers and their customers were asked to indicate their agreement
or di sagreement with the ad verse environmental effects of pl astic package wastes. Three
of th e plastic package manufacturers repli ed that pl astic package wastes do not have
adverse environm enta l effec t an d two of them, however, agreed . Most respondents of
pac kage customers, 114 (80.28%) repli ed that th ey agree whil e fi ve (3 .52%) respondents
di sagree with thi s idea. Besi des, the rema ining ( 16.20%) respondents neith er agreed nor
di sagreed. The proporti on of di sagreed and undec ided group of respondents in package
manufacturers (3) and package customers (1 9.72%) indi cate that still a lot remains to be
done on environm enta l pollution regard ing plastic package wastes. On the whole,
however, it is possible to infer that environmental effects of plastic package wastes are
well recognized by plasti c package users.

47
Table 8B: Plastic Packaging and Co ncern for Environm ent

\\'eighted
Ranks
Sco res
No. S ta temcil t/Q uestioll

PM PC PM PC
The possible adverse environmental effect of pl astic package
I
wastes is:
a. Littering -- 426 -- I"
b. Resource wastage -- 238 -- 2nd

c. Tox icity -- 237 -- 3'd

Who should , you think , be blamed for seeing pl asti c package
2
wastes on curb-sides?
a. Prod uct users 12 340 3'd 2nd
10 180 4 th 4 th
b. Pl asti c package manu fac turers
c. Those who pack their products 14 196 2nd 3'd
IS 41 5 1
51 l SI
d. Concerned government authorities or agencies
3 The poss ibl e environmental pressure group in the near future is:
a. Customer preference 10 186 3'd 3'd
b. NGO 's campai gn 14 332 2nd 2nd
IS 41 5 1S\ l SI
c. Government 's campaign
PA4 - Package }\tIanujaclIIrers, PC- Package Customers
Source: Responses swnmarized from ,lie study questionnaire

As indicated in Tabl e 88 , both package manufacturers and package customers were

asked about the poss ib le adverse environmental effects of plastic package wastes. Then,
th eir responses are summarized and weighted for ranking purpose (S ee Appendi x IOAl.
Respondents rank ed adverse environmental effects of plastic packages such as litteri ng,
resource wastage , and toxicity first, second, and third, respecti vely. Th ey did so beca use
litt er mi ght be easier to visualize than the other two adverse effects. Another poss ible
reason mi ght be ineffi cient plastic package waste management system . Still another
reason could probably be plasti c litters have more power to ca tch eyes than any other
form of waste litters.

48
Another question which plastic package customers or users asked was who shou ld be
blamed for seeing pl ast ic package wastes on curb-sides? Based on the data shown in
Table 8B, government is the first, those who consume a product packed in a plastic
package are the second, those who pack products using plastic package are the third , and
plastic package manufacturers are the fourth to be blamed. Similarly, plastic package
manufacturers view the government as the first to be blamed for plastic package wastes
that are seen on cu rb-sides and they view themselves as the fourth to be blamed for the
same. Unlike plastic package customers, however, plastic package manufacturers ranked
product users the third, and those who pack products with pl astic package as the second
to be blamed. To measure the consistency between the opinions of the two groups of
rankings, the correlation coefficient was calculated using Spearman's rank con·elation.
The value of the correlati on coefficient obtained is 0.8 (See Appendix 1DB). Thi s
indi cates that the agreement between the two rankings is highl y consistent. This might be
because peopl e view govern ment as everything and has a supreme power in its hands to
take action. The other reason could be because in most cases it is not common for people
in least developed countries to take the blame for their own wrong doing.

Another question posed to plastic package customers or users was to identify who they
anticipate would be the possible environmental pressure group in the near future. As can
be seen from Table 8B, government's campa ign is their first anticipatio n, NGO's
campa ign is the second one, and customer preference has got the last anticipation.
Similarly, plastic package manufacturers were asked who they anticipate would be the
possible environmental pressure group in th e near future . In this regard , they share the
sa me view with plastic package customers. Both plasti c package customers and plastic
package manufacturers did so because they might have seen or heard so me sanitation
activities that can be viewed as a threat for them through mass media or due to the
assumpti on that in an economi ca ll y poor nat ion , consumers ha ve litt le power to coerce
one who did wrong so long as they could obtai n a product at a least price.

49
4.9 Efficient Uti lization of Plastic Packages and Quality Issues
Package produ cti on requires sophi sticated technology and huge in vest ment. Tech nology
and investment crea te competiti ve power not only to the package produ cing indu stry but
also to those firm s th at use plasti c packages produced by such industries. In most cases
the qua li ty of the package depends o n the raw materi al used and the technology
empl oyed. Moreover, the technology used by a package manufactu rer alone may be
useless unl ess the package customer also uses a packaging machine with simil ar
technology. Despite these technologies and quality raw material s, there mig ht be flaws if
packages acquired by th e package cu stomer are not full y used. To address such
packagin g issues, package customers were asked the follow ing questions to assess the
overall plastic package quality.

Tab le 9: Effici ent Utilization of Plastic Packages

Response Responses
No . Questions/St atements Catego r y
(n=142)
%
n
Yes 30 2 1.1 3
Do you co mpl etely, witho ut any wastage, use all
I
the plastic pac kages acquired? No 11 2 78.87
Total 142 100
If your response for the above question is "No", what would be
2
the possible reason(s)?
a. Due to flaws in producing the package 97 68.3 1
b. Due to fla ws in packaging process 87 61.2 7
Total 184* 129.58
*Total responses obtained are IlIg ll er [han "1/ " due 10 mull/pie responses.
Source: Resp onses summarized f rom the study questionna ire

Package customers were asked whether they are abl e to fi.i1 ly util ize the package they
acquired fro m their respecti ve package manufacturers or not. As can be seen from Tabl e
9, 11 2 (78 .87%) repli ed that they were not completely using packages and 30 (2 1.1 3%)
responded that they are us ing. When indicating the reasons why they are not ab le to use

50
all the pl astic packages acq uired, 97 (68 .31 %) replied that they were unable to use the
pac kage because of fla ws in producing the package, and 87 (61.27%) replied that is is
due to flaw s in packaging process. From thi s, it is possi bl e to infer that there are
packaging fl aws either during production and/or in the packaging process. Hence,
package quality cannot on ly be a package producer responsibility bu t it is also a package
user Issue.

4.10 Plastic Bag Regulations and Environmental Impact Assessment

Because plasti c debris may cause the environment to be littered or polluted , plastic
packaging specific regula tions are enacted by government or the concerned Environment
Authority. Solid Waste Management Proclamation can be cited as th e case in point in
Ethiop ia. In th is proclamation, it is clearly indicated that the production and placing of a
pl astic bag in the market, unless it is labeled to how w hether it is biodegradable, IS
unlawful as of the date fixed by the Authority. As per the proclamation, too, it IS
prohibited to grant permi t for the manufacture or importation of any non-bi odegradabl e
pla sti c bags with a wall thi ckness o f O.03milimeters and less than O.03milimeters.
Besides, th e Environmenta l Impact Assessment Proclamation requires the proponent to
undertake an environm ental impact assessment and submit th e report to the concerned
Authority before a proposed proj ect is impl emented . To see how owners or officers of
pl asti c package finn s are aware of pla sti c package specific regul ations such as those
mentioned above, they were asked some questions and the responses obtained are
indicated in Table 10.

51
Tab le 10: Pla stic Bag Regulations and Environmental Impact Assessment

No. Q uestions Response

n
Category

A re there pla stic packaging related regulations which Yes 0

I you, as a package producer, shall be abided by?
No 5
Total 5

2 As a proponent, ha ve you undertaken an environ mental Yes 0

impact assessment and submitted the report to the
No 5
concerned authority before imp lementing the
manufacturi ng o f pl ast ic packages?

Total 5
Source : Responses SlIJllf}wrlzed from th e study ques(lOlll1atre

As can be seen indicated in Tabl e 10, no package manu facturer is aware of the enactment
of the production of pla stic packages with a wa ll thi ckness of 0.03milimetere or less
which is not biodegradable. Similarly, no proponent of a packaging firm has und ertaken
an environmenta l impact assessment and submitted a report about the sa me to the
concerned Author ity. Thi s impli es that either proponents of the plastic package tirms do
not know about the enacted regul ati on or the regulating body and co ncerned autho rity are
not following up the enforcement of the regulatio n.

SECTION TWO: DISCUSSION OF RESULTS BASED ON THE GUIDED

INT ERVIEWS

4.11 Packaging Policy in Ethiopia

Concerned government ofti cials have been interviewed whether Ethiopia has a packaging
po li cy or not. Besides, pl ast ic package manufacturers were asked if they know that
Ethiopia has packaging policy. However, data from the interview and the question
revea led that Ethiop ia does not have packaging policy. Absence of packaging policy has
many drawbacks. Resource wastage, shortage of foreign currency exchange as a result of
reduced ex port due to poor packaging, and product wastage are a fe w of these drawbacks.

52
Perhaps thi s indi cates that Ethi opia is losi ng what it could ga in by havi ng a packaging
policy.

4.12. Threat of Plastic Package Waste on Environment in Ethiopia

O ffici a ls from Environmental Protection A uthority (EPA) were interviewed in order to

obtain inform ation about whi ch of the plastic packages used are regarded as
environmentall y harm fu l by the authority. They replied that there is no such an offi c ial
class ificatio n by the authority so fa r. However, th e Eth iopi an governm ent has regul ated
pl asti cs with a thickness of O. 03milimeters or less as environmentall y harmful. Offi cials
al so di sc losed that they are working closely with Ethi opian C ustoms Duty and Quali ty
and Standards Authori ty of Ethi opia. According to the interview, the C ustoms Duty is
responsible to refer, if any, imported plastics with the indi cated thickness that it has
suspected to the Quality and Standards A uthority of Ethi opi a for test. Unlike the
controll ing mechani sm for imported pl astics with the regulated thi ckness, it was poss ibl e
to learn from the interv iew that no such mechani sm has been set by EPA for plastics w ith
similar thickness produced within the country.

T hough it has been enacted and the offi cials concerned say so, it is common to see plastic
bags w ithin the enacted limi t in the market place (See Appendix 6B). One can get them
fo r cash or for free as shoppi ng bags from reta il ers. Moreover, accord ing to EPA
offic ia ls, th e threat of other form s of plasti c pac kages to th e environmen t, espec iall y
pl astic bottl es, is found to be alm ost minim al. Th eir justifi cati on is that there is a strong
tendency that most peopl e especia ll y those res idi ng in th e countrys ide as we ll as those
wi th low economic stat us in towns or ci ties have stro ng tendency to reuse pl ast ic bottles.
However, th ey have sa id nothing about the adverse effect of plasti c roll package wastes.

4.13. Investment Demand for Plastic Packages

Offic ials from in vestment agencies were asked if the in vestment demand for plasti c
package manu facturi ng is on increase, mai ntains the CUITent status qu o, o r shows the
tendency to decrease in th e future. They replied that it is in creas ing. They were also
asked if there were measures taken on proponents of plasti c package manu fac turers for

53
protect the environment or they are not being enforced as they were supposed to by the
executing body. Therefore, unl ess some envi ronmental measures such as enacti ng
additiona l regul ations and en forci ng them are done, it is inferred that th e package's
environmenta l requirement remain s to be neglected both by plast ic packa ge
manufacturers and thei r respecti ve customers for the years to co me.

Most of the package customers as well as pac kage manufacturers blam e the government
for env ironmenta l poll ution th at emanate from used pl asti c package wastes. The pl astic
package manufacturers and customers fee l that they are not part of the problem. From
thi s, it is possibl e to conc lude that the public has little understanding of its responsibility
for environmental concern, and it is ev ident that a lot remains to be don e from th e
government side.

5.3 Recommendations

I . A ll plastic package wastes are not equal ly bad for the environment. That is why the
government of Ethiopia passed a regul ati on not to produce or import pl astics with a
wal l thickness uf 0.03 millimeter and is not easily eompostab le. Thi s is a good thing,
but regulat ing alone is not eno ugh if we are to keep our environment safe from
polluti on from plast ic wastes. It is common to find plastic shopping bags that are
within the range of the stipulated thickness in every shop or supermarket (See
Appendi x 6B). These shoppin g bags are either imported from abroad or produced
within the country. Besides, th e regulati o n does not say anything about products that
are produced w ithin th e country or imported from abroad with a plastic package of
the same range of thickness as the regulated plastic. Therefore, policy makers shou ld
revi se the regulation accordingl y and the government should strictl y follow up how
such regu lations are enforced.

2. Packaging des igners for package manufacturers as well as for package customers are
not a matter of opt ions. In pa ckage manufacturers, the des igner is responsibl e for the
production and deli very of pl asti c packages as per the specifi cat ions provided by
pac kage custo mers or mi ght advise customers on packaging matters . For package

58
 customers, package designers are responsibl e for overall packaging requirement.
Hence, absence of a designer mi ght grea tl y contribute to mal-packaging. Therefore,
it is important both for package manufacturers as well as package customers to ha ve
professiona l packaging des igner either by empl oying one or outsourcing as part-
timer.

3. As the popu lation of Ethi opia is increasin g li·om time to time, it is ev id ent that more
and more product will be consum ed. Th is again means that we need mo re packaging.
Unless we have a packagi ng policy, it is certain that we wi ll ru n out of packaging
resources and packaging waste prob lem will be beyond our abili ty to manage.
T herefore, the government must form ulate such a practicable packaging poli cy that
will enable to reduce, reuse, recycle, and dispose packaging wastes in an efficient and
env ironmenta lly friend ly manner.

4 . In many developed nations, governments are doing their best to reduce packagin g
wastes from the source fo ll owing an integrated and coordinated package waste
management approach. Though the government in Ethiopia is not beli eved to be the
so le responsible body to manage package wastes, the initi ative should come from it.
It mu st, therefore, not on ly regu late package waste issues but also fo llow up their
proper enforcement, promote awareness, involve public to take part, identify those
groups that ca use the package waste to be generated, and di scharge its overall
responsibility abo ut the sa me.

5. Plastics ha ve eye-ca tching, low cost, li ght- weight qua lity. Un less so me other new
preferable packaging materia l is invented, it seems impossibl e to stop the present
generation fro m using packages made of plastic. In order to protect the environment
from the adverse effects of used plastic package wastes, therefore, effo rts should be
made to produce and use biodegradable p lastics, avoid over-packaging, or avo id
s ingle-use packages. Moreover, there must be a mechan ism of coll ecting and sorting
plastic package wastes so that economic and health va lu es can be ga ined through
reduction, re-use, and recycl ing of these wastes .

59
6. Th e major sources of used plastic package wastes are plastic package manufacturers,
users of these packages (busi ness customers), and households (those usin g products
packed with plastics) . One of the strategies to be used in order to minimize used
pl astic package wastes is to reduce the waste fro m the source. Moreover, the
cooperation and co llaboration that EPA officia ls have wi th pl astic package
manu fa cturers to reduce the waste from the source are weak. Hence, a strategy
wi thout impl ementat ion might not bring the desired change. To properly manage
used plastic package wastes to the minimum level required, systems mu st be
developed so that plastic package manufacturers, users, and households must
cooperate in an integrated manner.
7. The existing laws, regu lations, practices, contro l mechanisms, etc need to be
thoroughly examined and improved in light of the benefits, contributi ons, or
undesirab le effects of all plastic package types.

60
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Krejcie, R. V. and D. W. Morgan: Educat iona l and Psychological Measurement, Vo l.

30:607-610, 1970

Kot ler, Philip (2006): Marketing Management, 121h edition , New Delhi -II O 00 I,
Prentices-Hall of In di a

Kot ler, Philip and Gary Armstrong (2006): Princip les of Market in g, Il lh ed iti on , New
Delhi- I IO 00 I, Prentices-Hall of India

Labuza, Theodore P. (200 1): World Book Encyc loped ia, Packaging, Chicago: World
Book In.

61
Perreault, William D., JI'. and E. Jerome McCarthy (2006): Essenti als of Marketing: a
globa l- managerial approach , I Olh ed., New York: McGraw-Hili Irw in

Pride, Wi ll iam M. and Ferrell O. C. (2008): Marketing, 141h ed. New York: Hou ghton
Muffin Company

Ri chardson, TelTY L (2008): "Pl astics." Microsoft®Encarta®2009 [DYD]

Robbt, Beet (2008): Marketing: Microsoft®Encarta®2009

Solomon, Michael R. (2002): Consumer Behavior 51h ed., New Delhi: Asoke K. Ghosh,
Prentices-Hall

Welt, Bruce (2005): A brief Hi story of Packaging, http://edis. ifas. ufl. ecuc.

Xiao, B. (2006). The Use of the Interpolated Median in Institutional Research, Paper
presented at the Association for Institut ional Resea rch Annual Forum, Chi cago,
lL, May 14-1 8, 2006, Northern Illinois University.

Zimmerman, Michael (2009): Environment, Microsoft®Encarta®2009 [DYD]

Department for Environm ent Food and Rural Affairs (2009) : Making the Most of
Packagi ng: A strategy for a low-carbon economy. Retri eved from
http://www. defra. gov. uk

Plastic Packag ing Res ins, American Chemistry Council, Pl asti c Di vision: Retrieved from
http://www.americanchemistry.com.

Plastic Recycling Facts, retrieved from http://earth911.org/recyc ling/plastic bottle-

recycl ing/pl astic bottle-recyc ling-facts/

http ://en. w ikipedia .org/wiki/Kendall_ tau _rank_ correlation_ coeffic ient, Spearman's rank
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Understanding Packaging, The Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment,
retrieved from http://www.i ncpen.org,

http://www.epa.org.et

Addis Aba ba Cit y Admini strati on: Add is Negari Gazeta, Regu lation No. 13/2004 ,
Berhanena Selam Prin ting Enterprise

Addi s Ababa City Adm inistration: Solid Waste Admini stration Policy Doc llment , 1995,
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62
Federal Negarit Gazeta of the Federal Democrati c Republi c of Ethiopia, Proclamation
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Federal Negarit Gazeta of the Federal Democrati c Republic of Ethiopi a, Proclamation

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63
 APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Questionnaire for Plastic Package Customers

ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS EDUCATION

Questionnaire to be Filled by Plastic Packaging Customers

Purpose of the Ouestionnaire:

The purpose of this questionnaire is just to co llect relevant data regarding pla stic
packaging practices. The cred ibility of a resea rch such as this one basically depends on
the gen uine data you provide. Hence, you are kindly requested to answer each item
properly.

"Your concern is highly appreciable."

How to Fill the Questionnaire:

Responses in this questi onn aire can be given either in the form of a simple yes/no or in a
brief written desc ription. Items with yes/no responses are preceded by a box. For such
items, put a tick mark (..J) in the box. For items that require written description , howeve r,
write your response briefly on the space provided. Please use each case where
appropriate .

I. Which plastic packaging item(s) do you use for packing your product? (You may
choose more than one)
D Pl astic bottle D Plastic jar D Plastic pot D PI' woven bag
D Low density polyethylene D Plasti c shopping bag D Plastic ro ll
D Others (plea se speci fy) _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __

2. Do you have a pla stic package des igner?

DYes DNo

64
3. Have you ever reported to your suppli er product wastage cases due to improper
plastic packaging?

DYes DNo
4. If your response for question No.3 is yes , how freq uent is it?

D Very Often D Sometimes DVery rarely

5. If your response fo r question No . 3 is yes , how do you express the extent of the
damage?

DBad Dworse DWorst

6. How do yo u rate the contribution of the plastic package in boosting your sa le?

DVeryhigh Dhigh D Not hi gh DNot at all

7. Please indicate your priority of consideration in acquiring pl astic packages by

ranking fro m 1 to 3 where I is most des irable and 3 is the least.

a. Con venience to use and store .......................0

b. Cost of making or acquiring the package ......... 0
c. Concern for environment. ..................... ..... O
8. Which language do you use for labeling your package?
D Engli sh only DA mhari c only D Afaan Oromoo on ly
D Engli sh and Amharic D Engli sh and Afaan Oromoo
D Amha ri c and At-aa n Oro moo D Other_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
9. Nowadays packaging has vari ous functions to meet. The most common ones are
the following. Pl ease indicate their degree of importan ce, fro m the perspective of
your acti vity, by ranking from I to 3 where I is most desirable and 3 is the least.
a. Communicating the produ ct to users .............. D
b. Convenience for usage as well as distribution ... D
c. Protecting the product from damage ............. D

65
10. How do you describe the capability of you r plast ic package supplier(s)? Use ti ck
mark C,J) on appropriate co lumn
SINo Statement Disagree Undecided Agree
a. The producer can supply all the quantity ordered
timely
The producer has limited capacity of providing the
b.
req uired package
c. Delivery is often delayed
d. The producer can produce a package with every
kind of shape yOU want

II . How do you describe the relati onship you have wi th plastic packaging
manufacturers? Use tick mark C-Y) on appropriate column.

SINo Statement Disagree Undecided Agree

a. You are much satisfied wi th them
b. You place orders to a specific producer
repeated ly
c. You are ob li ged to look for new manufacturers
now and then

12. What did your consumers say about th e plastic package used fo r the product they
are consuming? Use tick mark C-Y) on appropriate column .

SINo Statement Disagree Undecided Agree

a. It is conven ient for consum ing the product
b. It is easy to open
c. It is easy to ca rry

d. Complain fo r the quantity of pack

e. Complain for the qua lity of pack

13. Do you co mpletely, witho ut any wastage, use all the plastic packages you acquire?
DYes DNo

66
14. If yo ur response for question No. 13 is no , w hat wo uld be the possible reason (s)?
(M arkin g one or mo re boxes is possible)
o Du e to fl aws in produc ing the package
o Due to fl aws in produc t packagi ng process
o Othe rs (pl ease specify)-------------------------------
SINo Item Disagree Undec ided Agree
15 Plast ic package wastes have an adverse
environmental effect
16 Who shou ld, you think, be blamed for seeing plastic
package wastes on curb-sides?
a. Product users
b. Pl astic pac kage manu facturers or suppl iers
c. Those who pack their products with plasti c
packages
d. Co ncerned government authoriti es or agencies
17 The possible adverse envi ronmenta l effect o f plasti c
package wastes is:
a. Littering
b. Resource wastage
c. Toxicity
18 The possibl e environmental pressure group in the
near future is:
a. Customer preference
b. NGO's cam paign
c. Government 's campaign

19. Wh at do yo u think are the ba sic advantages that plastic packages have over other
fo rms of packages?

20 . Do yo u have som ething to menti on that is in va lu able fo r plasti c pac kage suppli ers
to ful fi ll in orde r to gai n the most Ollt of the plastic package?

67
 Appendix 2: Questionnaire for Plastic Package Manufacturers

ADD IS ABABA UNIVERS ITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS EDUCAT ION

Questionnaire to be Filled by Plastic Package Manufacturing Officers

Purpose of the Ouestionnaire:

Th e purpose of thi s questi onnaire is just to coll ect rel evant data rega rding pl astic
packaging practices. The credibility of a research such as thi s one basically depends on
the genuine data you provide. Hence, you are kindly requested to answer each item
properly.
" Your concern is hi ghly app r eciabl e,"

How to F ill the Ouestionnaire:

Responses in thi s questi onnaire can be gi ven either in the form of a simpl e yes/no or in a
bri ef wri tte n descripti o n. Items w ith yes/no respon ses are preceded by a box . For such
items, put a ti ck mark (;/) in the box . For items that require written descri ptio n, however,
write your response briefly on the space provided. Pl ease use each case where
appropri ate.
I . What kind of pl astic packages are you producing? (Y ou may tick more than one)
o Pl astic bottle 0 Pl astic jar 0 Pl asti c pot 0 PP woven bag
o Low den sity po lyethylene 0 Pl asti c shopping bag 0 Pl asti c ro ll
o Others (please spec ifY) _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __
2. Are there packaging poli cies at the national or regional level?
DYes D No

3. Do you ha ve a packag ing desi gner?

D Yes D No
4. A re there cases reported from your custo mers so far regarding produ ct wastage as
a res ult of improper plasti c packag in g?
DYes DNa
5. If your response for question NO.4 is yes , how frequ ent is it?
D Very often D Sometimes D Very rarely
68
6. Nowadays a pac kage has vari ous fun ctions to meet. The most comm on o nes are
the fo llow ing. Pl ease ra nk them, fro m the perspecti ve of your fi rm, I to 3 where
I is the most important and 3 is the least.

a. Com mun icating the product to users ...............

b. Conveni ence fo r usage as well as distribu tion .: ..
§
c. Protect ing th e prod uct from damage .............. .

7. Pl ease indi ca te your priority of cons ideration, from the perspective of your firm ,
in producing a pl astic package by ranki ng I to 3 where I is most important and 3
is the least.

a. Convenience to store . .... .. . ...... ........ .. ... .... ...

b. Cost of making th e package .... .. .... ... . .. ........ .
§
c. Concern for environment. . ...... . .................. .
8. How do you descri be your pl ast ic package customers? Use a ti ck mark (..J) o n the
appropri ate column
SINo Statement Disagree Undecided Agree
a. Customers order pl asti c packages repeatedly
b. Customers' order is increasing from tim e to time

c. The number of customers is increasing fro m time to time

9. Do you prov ide whatever quantity dema nded of p lastic packages by your
customer exactly on the date agreed upon?
DYes, oft en times.
D Yes, but sometimes.
D Yes, but very rarely.
10. If your response for qu esti on NO.9 is " yes, but som etimes" or "yes, but very
rarely", what would be the poss ibl e reason(s)?
D Qu antity demanded is more th an produ ction capac ity .
D Th ere is limited suppl y of raw materials for producing pl astic packages.
D There is space limitati on to store prod uced packages until deli very.
D From ex peri ence, customers buy less of their ini tial order.
D Others (pl ea se spec ify), _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __

69
II . Are there plastic packaging related regulati ons whi ch you, as a package producer,
sha ll be abided by?
DYes D No

12. If your response for qu estion No. I I is yes, please list th em down on the space
prov ided below .
..... ........ ....... .. .. . .. , ..... ......... . , .. ............... ........... ......... ... .. .... .
.... .... ... .................. ... .. ......... ... ......... ...... ... ... ......... ... ... .... ......

13. As a proponent, have you undertaken an environmenta l impact assessment and

subm itted the report to the concerned authori ty before implementing the
manu facturing of pl astic packages?(P lease substantiate this by attaching an
ev idence)
D Yes D No

14. If your response fo r question No. 13 is yes, please li st:

A. The identifi ed adverse imp acts of the finn :

B. T he mean s of their prevention:

15 . Seeing lI sed plastic packages on curb-sides here in Ethi opia is common. Who
should , you th in k, be blamed for that?
SINo Statement Di sagree Undecided Agree

a. Product users
b. Plastic package manufacturers
c. Those who pack their products
d. Concerned governm ent authorities or agencies

SIN o Statement Di sagree Undecided Agree

16 The possible environmenta l pressure group in
the near future is:
a. Customer preference
b. NG O 's campaign
c. Government' s campaign

70
 SI No Statement Di sagree Undecided Agree
17 Plastic package wastes have an adverse
env ironmenta l effect

18. Do you have somethin g to adv ice your business customers in order to ga in the
most out of the plastic package? If yes, please indicate it briefly on the space
prov ided below .
...... .... ......... ....... ...... . ........ . ...... ....... ...... .. .. ...... .... .... .... ........ ..... .. .

..... ...... .. .. ... .. .. ........ ........ .......... ..... ..... ............................... .... ......
. ....... ...... ...... . ..... . .. .............. ... ...... .......... . ..... ................ .......... .... .
19. Do you have something to comment on Government agencies or authorities to
take corrective measures on issues that hinder your business activity? If yes,
please indi cate it on the space provided.
A. Rega rding Environmental A uthori ties:
........ .. ................................................ ... ...... .... .... .. ... ...............
.................................................................................................... ........... ...............
....................................................................................................................
................................................................................... ..................................... ......

B. Regarding Licensing Agencies:

....................................................................................................... .... ..................
. ........... . ........ . .... . .. ... ... .... .. ...... ......... .. ........ . .. .... ..... .. .... .... ..... ..
....... ............... .......................... ........ ....... ... ............ ....... ........ ..... ............ ................
........................................................................ ..... ...... .... ....... ..... .. ........... ..... ....... .

C. Rega rding Investm ent Agencies:

...................................................................... ........................................................
.. ..... ....... ..... .... ... ................... ........ .. .. ...... .................................
.......... ... ........... ..................... ............................ .......... .............. .............. ...............
................................... ............................................. ............................... ...............

71
 Appendix 3: Interview Guides for Investment Oft1cials

ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS EDUCATION

Interview Guide for Investment Officials

Purpose of the Interview :

Th e purpose of thi s questi onnaire is just to co ll ect rel evant data rega rding pl astic
packa ging prac ti ces. The credi bility of a research such as thi s one bas icall y depends on
the genuine data you provide. Hence, you are ki ndl y requ ested to answer each item
properl y.

"Your concern is highly appreciable."

I. How many plastic packaging manufac turers are currentl y in operatio n 111 your
respective regio n?
2. How do you proj ect the investment demand for plast ic package manu factu ring in
the future?
o Increas ing o Decreasing o Mainta in the current status quo
3. Would you menti o n the ratificati on measures , if any, ta ken by th e agency as a
resul t of fa ilure of the proponent to im plement the auth ori zed pla sti c packaging
bu siness in complian ce with commitment entered into or obli gati ons imposed
upon?

4. Pl ease write down some o f the cases, if any, reported as a chall enge fi-om plasti c
packa ge manufacturing owners so far in producing and supplying their product.

5. Pl ease note down your opini on or observati on that would be help ful for poli cy
makers what to consider or reconsider on regu lati ons specific to plastic package
iss ues?

72
 Appendix 4: Interview Guides for EPA Officials

ADDIS ABABA UN IVERSITY

SC HOOL OF GRADUATE STU DI ES

FACULTY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS EDUCATION

Interview Guide for EPA Officials

Purpose of the Interview :

The purpose of this questio nnaire is just to coll ect relevant data regarding plastic packaging
practi ces. The cred ib ility of a research such as thi s one basica ll y depe nds on the genuine da ta you
provide. Hence, yo u are kincll y requ ested to answer each item properly.

"Your concern is highly appreciable. "

I. Is there packaging po li cy in Ethi opi a? I f so, how actionabl e is it?

2. Which fo rm of plastic packages, do you thin k, would take the lion sha re of packag ing
so lid wastes?
o Bott les o Shopping bags o Low density po lyeth ylene
3. Do licensing age ncies consult you prior to their issuance of an investment/or operation
permit to plastic package manufacturers?
DYes D No
4. If yo ur response for questio n No.2 is no, please wri te down possible reasons brie fl y on
the space provided below.
S. To what extent does you r office receive a complaint(s) from public agai nst any person or
organization causing ac tual or potenti al da mage to the env ironment specifi c to used
plastic pac ka ge waste?
o Frequentl y O Sometimes o Rarely ONot at all
6. If yo ur answer for quest ion No. 4 is "Frequently", "Som etimes", or "Ral'e(v", please
indicate the type of compla ints in terms of damage and the ir ex tent o n the table below .

I sr
(You ma y use mo re serious, medi um, less seri ous as a ppropri ate for ex te nt).

I T y pe of damage I Exte nt

7. Which plastic pac kages are considered by the authority as env ironmeIllal ly hannful?
8. How do yo u describe the degree of cooperation with plastic packaging manufacturers and
plastic package users to get their environment free from so lid wastes in genera l and
plastic packaging wastes in particular?
A. Regarding plasti c packagi ng manu fac turers
B. Regard ing plastic package users

73
 Appendix 5: Interview Guides for QSAE Officials

ADDIS ABABA UN IVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUD I ES
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS EDUCATION

Interview Guide for Quality and Standards Officials

Purpose of the Interview:

The purpose of thi s questionnaire is just to co llect rel eva nt data regardi ng plastic
packaging practices. The credibil ity of a research such as thi s one basical ly depends on
the genuine data you provide. Hence, you are kindl y requ ested to answer each item
properl y.
"Your concern is highly appreciable."

I. One o f the duti es of the Quality and Standards Authori ty of Ethiopia (QSAE) is to
provide product certifi cation. When doing so, do you treat the pa ckage separately
or consider it as part of th e prod uct?

2. Suppose th at the product hundred percent meets the standards set by QS AE but its
package does not. What would be your measu re in such cases?

3. Were there cases so far that the QSAE took necessary measures on products being
imported or produced in the country due to poor packaging? If yes, please attach
the document that certifies it.

4. [s there an exceptional packaging standard for plasti c packages in relation to

environment? [f yes, pl ease state them and attach the supporting document.

5. As a Qual ity and Standards responsible body, how do you explain the Ethiopi an
Standards' contribution to safety, human hea lth , and the protec tion of environment
with specific to pl astic packagi ng?

6. Do you have something to recommend or advice concern ed government offic ials

like environment, and plastic packaging manufacturers or importers to have an
integrated effort for the well -being of our society and coun try specifi c to pl astic
packaging?

A. Environment Officials
B. Pl astic packaging manufacturers
C. Plastic packaging importers

74
 Annendix IiA: Plastic Ball: Thickness Exam ination--Letter

n.>,. ·H..I·?,'.I' /." Y.,(.-I'l If? .ttt!"~ JI.. n.,elf? I. T -lI tt. ~J -'J .,) / 1 I
THE !:"EDERAL DEMOCR.6.TIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIO PIA 1:'1'(,' .~_~_-'<~_"",-L_
Ref No

\'i'I,"'Y'?",e \"-"(..-',li ~)g. I.:(:~JJ:f tJtI/"(,\"ri

".1.- .J ~I ,r-. S'·,t,~ [.ARDS ,V.""hORtT JC ::i-!IGP!.lI

·". Ii' I

". ,. ~

" ,' fl ';" :

W~. ' ,!;~:. \IT( l:~ \! ,i.1.(J j:;l.j. 1~'1,' ,~11J \

I)'d·,.') ,y'(,., .!~.\ ~'-11)'1 't-'.~ ;:~~t' 11l~.·~-I.i.:MT~i('/

I'E ' ''' ~ r·(."'·L') ~ :'~:(~1,·1 (, ~

::8: 23I U 11 11116461111 1 f-uJaJl: 41>;1 (' U ('[hiuu~'Ll'1

.\ddl" ,\ II.lh:! 1-':1\: 251 ·U I t o.ic,oSSfi (lil) \\d .,jl ,': \'\\\'.q':tl·.{'t·~

75
 Appendix 6B: Plastic Bag Thickness Examination--Result

-
....-
@
1,;~'~"" •• "..--,. "

QUALIT Y AND STANDARDS AUTHORITY OF ETHIOP IA

FRM/TLG/030

TE ST REPORT ' 01 ' Eon or 2

Report No. TLT R/ 134/09

Te st Orde r No.

Na me of client Ayelew Seld

2 Date and place of samp ling Not specified
3 Sampled and submitted by Client
4 Da:e samp le received 09/11/09

5 Clien :'s samp le code

6 La borato ry oeslgnaced samp le No 206001

7 Type of sa mple Plasuc bag

8 Test method ES 4102001

9 Test date(s) 111'r 1/09

10 Date of submiss ion of test report 11/11109

Ser .
Characteristics tested Test result
No
1 Th ickness mm 0.015

Remarks'-
1.
Thi s test resul t is as per sample submitted oy :he client, whlcll may not be a
representa :ive sample.
2 This test resJlt IS only I nformati~ j t shall not serve as a ce~!i f cate

~estccl Dy Esoe tu Zergaw 1"/

Cl"lccr<.eo & vcr r 1ea oy - Sergut Walae -;,;-:..

61.5 -
"
C8~~311Pt:r
'a 646 C·

76
 Appendix 7A: Packaging Functions and Considerations-Weighted Scores (Table 5)

Respondents C ategory Wei ghted

Scores
P;'lc kagc Package Package
Statement Manufacturers Sum
C ustom ers Manufacturers Package C ustomers
11=5 n= 142
I S[ 2'd 3'd r'1 nd ., rd
2'd 3'd 1S[ 2nd
,cd ,
.:"'~
st
2 0 1 0 ~e
==
.~ ~
Z;

"'(:;"'" -"=
~~
(:; 0
Values Assumed 3 2 1 3 2 1 o = U ~
t:. ~
o..u
(a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) ~

(a) Packaging Fun ctions

Communicating th e product 10 users (a) 0 2 3 8 40 94 (a)x(a) (a)x(b) (a)x(c) (a)x(a) (a)x(b) (a)x(c)
0 4 3 24 80 94 7 198
Convenience Jor usage & distribu 1.ion (b) 0 3 2 8 94 40 (b)x(a) (b)x(b) (b)x(c) (b)x(a) (b)x(b) (b)x(c)
0 6 2 24 188 40 8 252
Protecti ng the prod uct fro m damage (c) 5 0 0 126 8 8 (c)x(a) (c)x(b) (c)x(c) (c)x(a) (c)x(b) (c)x(c)
15 0 0 378 16 8 15 402
(b) Packavin o C onsiderations
Convenience to use and store Ca) 0 5 0 14 1 I 0 (a)x(a) (a)x(b) (a)x(c) (a)x(a) (a)x(b) (a)x(c)
0 10 0 423 2 0 10 425
COSI of making or acquiri ng the package (b) 5 0 0 I 136 5 (b)x(a) (b)x(b) (b)x(c) (b)x(a) (b)x(b) (b)x(c)
15 0 0 3 272 5 15 280
Concern fo r environment (e) 0 0 5 0 5 137 (c)x(a) (c)x(b) (c)x(c) (c)x(a) (c)x(b) (c)x(c)
0 0 5 0 10 137 5 147

77
 Appendix 7B: Packaging Functions and Considerations- Spearman's Rank Correlation
Coefficient (Table 5)
C alculation
In practice, however, a si mpl er procedure is normall y used to calcu late p. The raw scores are converted
to ranks, and the differences (d i ) between the ranks of each observation on the two variab les are
ca lculated.

P is given by:
. () L elT
p= l -
n(ll? - 1)
Where:
di = Xi - Yi is the difference between the ranks of correspond ing va lu es Xi and Yi , and n = th e
number of va lu es in each data set (same for both sets).

The va lue of p li es betw een - I and I, and increas in g va lues impl y increas ing agreem ent between the
rankings.

Packaging Functions
Xi
di = Xi - Yi d2i Correlation Coefficient
Yi
Communicating the product to
yd 3,·d
users 0 0
p ~ l -
() L d;
Conven ience for usage & n(n 2 - I)
distribution 2nd 2nd 0 0
6 xO
p= l - - -
Protecting the product fro m damage 1
51 l Si 0 0 24
P = \ -0
2
li:/ I
= 0 p= 1

x,. = Rank given by Packagmg Manu/a cturers, and Yi - Rank given by Pockaglllg CllS(OmeIS

Packaging Considerations
Xi
di = Xi - Yi d2 i Correlation Coefficient
Yi

Con venience to use and store 2nd l Si I I () L (i['

p = 1-
n ( 11.-.J - I)
Cost of making o r acqu iring the l Si 2nd - I I 6x 2
package p= I - -
24
I
rd yd P = 1- -
Concern fo r environment 3 0 0 2
p = 0.5
2
li:/ I
= 2

XI - Rank g iven by Packagll1g MamljaclUlels, and Yj Rank given by Packaging Cl/SlOmelS

78
 Appendix 8: Package Manufacturers' View to Their Respective Customers (Table 6B)

Packaging Manufacturers (n = 5)
Median
No. State me nts
(Value)
Disagree Undecided Agree Below Median Above
Med ian Median
(I) (2) (3) (I)
(I) (I)

I C usto me rs order plasti c packages repeatedl y 0 I 4 3 I 4 0

2 C ustomers' o rder is inc reasing fro m time to time 0 0 5 3 0 5 0

3 T he nu mber o f customers is increasing from lime to li me 0 0 5 3 0 5 0

f = Fre que ncy

79
 Appendix 9: Industry-customer Relationship -Interpolated Median (Table 6A and Table 7)

Calculatin o 1M for Questions in a Three-Point Likert Scale

Group Order I 2 0
J 1 2 3 I 2 3
L = Lower limit of the group: 05 I.S 2.5
W = Width of the interval of the group: I I I
Frcq uency of
Items response (F) C umulative frequency (CF) N Calcu lat in2 1M 1M
The producer can supply whatever quantity
is ordered timely 50 51 41 50 101 142 142 1.9 1.9
The producer has limited capacity of
providing the required package 30 26 86 30 56 142 142 2.7 2.7
Delivery is often delayed 23 34 85 23 57 142 142 2.7 2.7
The producer can produce every kind of
shape you want 26 78 38 26 104 142 142 2.1 2.1
1M = Interpolated Median

Calculating 1M for Questions in a Three-Point Likert Scale

Group Order I 2 3 1 2 0
J I 2 3
L = Lower limit of the gro up: 0.5 1.5 2.5
W = Width of the interval of the group: I I 1
Frequency of :

Items res ponse -(F) Cum ulative frequency (CF) N Calculating 1M 1M

You are satisfi ed with them 96 3 43 96 99 142 142 1.2 1.2

You place orders to a spec i fic producer
0 100 42 0 100 142 142 2.2 2.2
repeated ly
You are obli ged to look for new producer
54 39 49 54 93 142 142 1.9 1.9
now and then --- -

1M = Interpolated Media
80
 Appendix lOA: Plastic Packaging and Concern for Environment-Weighted Scores (Table 8B)

Responde nts Ca tego ry Weighted

Sco res
Package Manufaclurcrs Package C us tomers Pa ckage Manufacturers Package C us tome rs
n=5 n:: 142 S um
Ite m
: "'~
D U A D U A D U A 0 U A .E~ .:: c:::;
~<:: •"'E
e
"~
Values Assumed 1 2 3 1 2 3 ~;;
(a) (b) (e) (a) (b) (e) ~~ o. u=
I:':;

The possible adverse environmental effec! of plastic pac kage

wastes is :
(a)x(a) (alx(bl (a)x(el (')*1 (a)x(bl (a)x(e)
a. Litteri ng (a) .. .. .. 0 0 142
.. .. .. 0 0 426 .. 426
(b)x(al (blx(bl (blx(e) (b)x(a) (blx (bl (b)x(e)
b. Resource wastage (b) .. .. .. 94 0 48
.. .. .. 94 0 144 .. 238
(c)x(a) (c)x(b) (e)x(e) (e)x(a) (elx(b) (c)x(c)
c. Toxic ity (el .. .. .. 51 87 4
.. .. .. 51 174 12 .. 237
Who shou ld , yOll Ihink , be blamed for seei ng plastic package
wastes on cu rb-sides?

a. Product users (a) (alx(a) (*(bl (a)x(c) (a)x(a) (a)x(b) (a)x(e)

1 1 3 43 0 99
1 2 9 43 0 297 12 340
b. Plastic package manufacturers or suppliers (b) (b)x(a l (b)x(bl (b)x(c) (blx(al (b)x(b) (b)x(c)
1 3 1 123 0 19
1 6 3 123 0 57 10 180
c . Those who pack their products (e l (C)x(a) (e )x(b) (e)x(e) (c)x(a) (e)x(b) (e)x(c)
0 1 4 114 2 26 ,

0 2 12 114 4 78 14 196
d. Concerned govcm mCI11 au thorities or agencies (d) (C)x(a) (e)x(b) (c )x(c) (c)x(a) (clx(b) (elx(el
0 0 5 0 11 131
0 0 15 0 22 393 15 41 5
The poss ible e nvironmenta l pressure group in the ncar futu re is :

(al (a)x(a) (alx(bl (a)x(c) (alx('1 (a)x(bl (alx(el

1 3 1 11 5 10 17
9. C ustomer preference 1 6 3 115 20 51 10 186
(bl (blx(a) (blx(bl (blx(el (blx(al (bl,(bl (b)x(e)
0 1 4 38 18 86
b. NGO's campaign 0 2 12 38 36 258 14 332

(el (c)x(a) ('Ix(bl (c)x(c) (c)x(a) (c)x(b) (c)x(c)

0 0 5 10 21 11 1
c. Go vernment ' s campaign 0 0 5 0 10 137 15 415

81
 Appendix - lOB: Plastic Packaging and Concern for Environment Spearman's Rank
Correlation Coefficient (Table 8B)
Who shou ld , you think,
be blamed for seeing
plastic package wastes x,I Yi d i = Xi - Yi d 2i Correlation Coefficient
on curb-sides?
rd
a. Product users 3 2nd I I
OL d;
b. Plasti c package p = L-
11 ('
n- - I )
manufacturers or 4th 4th 0 0
suppliers 6x 2
p= I - -
c. Those who pack their
60
rd
2nd 3 -I I
products I
p = I --
d. Co ncern ed government 5
1st 1st 0 0
authorities or agencies p = 0.8
2
Ld I
= 2

Xi = Rallk given by plastic packaging IIWI1I.t/a clUrers, and Yi = Rank given by Packaging Custom ers

i'Xrhe possible
environmental pressure 2
group in the near future
Xi Yi di = Xi - Yi di Correlation Coefficient
is:
0 0
3rd )'d
a. Customer preferen ce (j L d;
0 p = l -
2 nd
2 nd 0 n( n 2 - I)
b. NGO 's campai gn
0 0 6xO
1st 1st p= I - -
24
c. Government's campai gn
p = 1- 0
2 2
Ld I
= p =I

XI = Rank given by packag ing manufactllrers, and Yj = Rallk givel/ by Packaging C//stomers

82
 Appendix IIA: Inter Rater Reliability-Test

Package Manufacturers Package Customer

Items Expert - I Expert - 2 Expert - 1 Expel·t - 2
I rA
~ p~
p~roLp~n~a~
te~--1-A-p~p~r~o~pl~
·ia~t-
e~~
Appropri ate Appropriate
2 Appropri ate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
3 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
4 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
5 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
6 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
7 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
8 Not Appropriate Not Appropriate Appropriate Not Appropriate
9 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
10 Not Appropriate Not Appropriate Not Appropriate Not Appropriate
II Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
12 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
13 Appropriate Appropri ate Appropriate Appropriate
14 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
15 Appropri ate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
16 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
17 Appropri ate Not Appropri ate Not Appropriate Appropriate
18 Not Appropriate Not Appropriate Not Appropriate Not Appropriate
19 Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
20 Appropriate Appropri ate

P ac k age M anu f acturers Package Customer

Items Expert - I Expert - 2 Expert - 1 Expert - 2
I I I I I
2 I I I I
3 1 I I I
4 1 I I 1
5 1 I I 1
6 1 I I I
7 1 I I I
8 0 0 1 0
9 1 I I 1
10 0 0 0 0
II 1 I I 1
12 1 I I 1
13 1 I I I
14 1 I 1 1
15 1 I I I
16 I I I I
17 I 0 0 I
18 0 0 0 0
19 1 I I I
20 -- -- I I

83
 Appendix lIB: Inter Rater Reliability - Formula

Expert - I

Not
Appropriate Appropriate TOTAL

Appropri ate PI! PI 2 Pi.

Expert - 2
Not
Appropriate P2I P22 P2.

TOTAL P.I P.2 P

Po = PII /(PI I +P22)

Pc = (P.I PI. + P.2P2.)/P2
Po - Pc
K=
1 - Pc
Where Po = Percent of Agreement,
Pc = Chance Agreement
K = Kappa Coeffic ient of Agreement

Note: Possibl e interpretation of Kappa coefficient of alpha.

• Poor agreement less than 0.20;

• Fair agreement 0.20 to 0.40;

• Moderate agreement 0.40 to 0.60;

• Good agreement 0.60 to 0.80; and

• Very good agreement 0.80 to 1.00

A high degree of agreement between two independent judges will indicate a

high level of reliability in classifying the categories (Gwet, Kilem: 200 I).

84
 Appendix lI C: Inter Rater Reliability-Calculation
a) Kappa Coefficient of Agreement for th e Instrum ents of Packaging Manufacturers

Packag in g manufa ctu re rs

Expert - I

Not
Appropriate Appropriale T O TAL

A ppropria te 15 3 18
Ex pelt - 2
Not
Ap propria te 4 3 7

TOTAL 19 6 25

Po = PII /(P I I+P22) 0 .833333333 0. 6

Pc = (P. IP!. + P.2P2.)/P' 0.6144

Po - Pc 0.2 18933333
1( = K=
I - Pc 0.3856

0.567773367

b) Kappa Coefficient of Agree ment for the Instruments of Pa cka gin g C ustomers

Packagin g Custom ers

Ex pert - I

Appropriate No t Appropriate TOTAL

App ropriate 16 3 19
Expert - 2
Not Appropri ate 3 2 5

TOTAL 19 5 24

Po = P II /(P I I+ P22) 0.8888 888 89

Pc = (P.I P!. + P.2P2.)/P' 0.670 138889

Po - Pc 0.2 1875
K= K=
I - Pc 0.32986 11 I I

0. 663 157895

85
 Appendix 12: Product Wastage, Damage Frequency and Extent (Table 3)

PM PC
n=142
Questions n=5
y N Total Y N Total VO ST VR B WE WT Total
ATe there cases reported from your customers
so far regarding product wastage as a result of
4 I 5
improper pl astic packaging?
Have you reported to your suppli er product
wastage cases ever due to improper plastic
128 14 142
packaging?
If your respon se for the above question is yes,
how frequent is the damage?
4 92 32 142
How do you express the extent of the damage 11 8 10 0 142
as a result of improper plastic packaging?

Y= Yes, N= No, VO= Very Often, ST= Somet imes, VR= Very Rarely, B= Bad, WE= Worse, WT= Worst

86
 Appendix 13: Plastic Packaging Manufacturers' (Classic, Flexible, INOVA, Roha, and Thermo) Pamphlets

Classic Plastic and Paper Packaging Manufacturing PlC-Page 1

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pac k ag ing ca n prov ide yo u w it h o utstan din g
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• BOPP. PP PET.PVC.LOPE. PE prin t ed olnd bla n k
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" .
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"
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cuStomer se rvi ce, a n d t u r n arou n d tim e • Wa x coated pape r a nd film l abels
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1
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87
 Classic Plastic and Paper Packaging Manufacturing PlC-- Page 2

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88
 Flexible Packaging Manufacturing PlC-Page 1

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The need ' (o r n ex ibl c wrapping ::md long- life
pack aging so lut io ns fo r local and expon markets
is e no rmo us. Howe ver the s upply of s lIc h produc ts
from local sou rces W:IS non · cxistelll. leavin g
manufac tu rers with a s ing le :I ltc m ali vi! lh.lt of
im l)ort ing from nbroad . Th is. obvious ly. is;1costl y
and tedioll s exerc ise.
Rcaliz.ing thi s wc ll understood need , o ur co mpany
FLEX PAC K . in it iated the s tud y o f the m:lrkl.!l ;lIld
th e ind us try. whi c h in vo lved l ookinl..~ into
p'lc kagi ng techno logy. those involved in the
desig n and dc"dopml.! lI t of p" ck '~ g in g . the \';Irio us
e nd u se r!' s llc h as the food proccssin g. Ct1lll pan ic:o:,
~Hl d n!1 those involvcd in m:lrkcling P<l c !-'. tg t ng
m .<l1c ri :lb. Subsc(,llc llll y. Ih is le d 10 sOlll ci l1 !; st:HC ·
Flexible Package Manufacturing PlC-Page 2
of- lhe-:n1 system for p;\ckag ing that is versatile To all manufacturers a nd producers, we offer
en ough to s upply nn mr.l)' of long-life pac kagi ng co mpl c te p'lc kaging systems designed to work
soluti o ns (hal lock in th e fresh ness and n avor o f seamless I)'. FLEX PAC K is aiming 10 be an
foods nnd phan11 3CeUlica ls . as we ll as secure a nd indus try le;tdcr in the produ c tion o f n ex ib le
packaging. including laminated and printed mulli·
e nsure Ihe s afety of othe r Iwod uc ls. layered substnncs ::md plasli c shrink fi lm s.
We it!so prov ide cu sto m ized pad aging soluti ons
us ing a broad range o f qua lity cl iches. O ur major
products inc lude printed ,mel laminated foils that
add colo r a nd protection to food and otllcr
consume r produ c ts packagi ng.
~I
\ :.!L:=
Marketi ng is key 10 s uccess in any cOlllmc rci:l l
undc rt;tki ng. P:lckag in g a nd prese ntati on arc a lso
ke y to good marketi ng as good p ack~l g ing protects
the safety and frcshnc...<;s of your product. More
th a n thaI il insu res the co nrid c ncc of your
Qu r factory produces a w ide arra), of prod uc ts that
w i 1\ be we lcomed by processors and
manu fac turers wi th in the Food .;-tnd Beverage.
Ph arm aceut ic;l!, Med ica l, Con fec ti o ncl'"Y.
Pes ticides. To bacco, Lc'lIhc r. Soap ami De tergent
industries.
co minu ;"!1 business. With the g rowth of ;tgro-
induslri,,] pmt.\u cis ll1allufa ~ lUrin g . the need lor
:tppro p"i:ll e . c on te m pt)!'ary pac k;'l£ ing a nd
pr~~ .. e nl;ll inn m. llt.' . inl .. !!- a n l ..1!.
90
 INOVA Packaging PLC-Page 1

®
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G.ROUP OF COMPANIES

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PACKAGI NG PLC
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Printing to suit world standard C> I
Strength to ensu re secure Iransponation POLYBAG PLC
i\'lost compct iti ve price in Ethiopia
For Your requiremcnt of quality pol ypropylene woven
sac ks and Plaslil' sho pping bags (Fasla l) look no further

INOVA GROUP OF C OMPANIES INOVA GROUP OF COM PA N I ES

Ocmbk C ity Center·, 8th Floor, S02-C
P.O . Box 12051S. E thi op ia. Addis Ababa.
Tc l - (+25 1 I) 1- 15538060/6 1/ 62
Fax- ( +25 11 ) 1-15538063
P.O. Box- 1205 1S ,
Email- info@ inova-plc .colll
\V"vw. inov(l-plc.COlll
Demble City Center. 8t h Floor, S02 - C
P.O. Box 120518. Eth iopia , Add is Ababa.
Tel- (+25 1 I ) 1-15538060/ 61 / 62
Fax- (+251 I) 1- 15538063
P.O. Box- 120518.
E mail- info@ ino vn -pl c.coll1
\\'\\'\v. inova-plc .conl

91
 INOVA Packaging Manufacturing PLC-Page 2

o o o
IftI c> ""- »k-\. c> V "" ''\Jl c> ~

INOVA GROUP Of COMPAN IES PLASTI C S I-IOPI'ING BAGS 1'.1' WOVEN BAGS
Is a leading manufacturer of PP woven sacks, - Singlet with different size and colors - Salt Bags - Cements Bags
- Flowers - Sugar Bags - MaccaroniIPasta Bags
HOPE woven sacks, woven fabrics. industria l
- Inova hard wares with three different size & quality - Flour Bags - Hydroscopic Goods Bags
woven fabrics, PP woven fabrics, PP woven bags, - Rose Jumbo Bags - Tea Bags - For Qual ity export Bags
HDPE woven bags, PP woven valve type bags, - LDPE with print and with o ut print - Fcrt i Iizer Bags - Vegetables Bags and other
- Cotto n Bags
PP woven gusseted bags & Sand bags, \Vc also
manufacture shopping bags in various sty les &
sizes. Our hi-tech production plant can match
the global demand for PP !HDPE fabric for
packing of different products in the field of
fertilizers, cement, polymers, chemi cals. tex ti les, f3~I] [1
machinery. automobiles,ctc. f3[1~rnml}l
1]1J1]i3L!ill!!@l
[NOVA endeavour to serve the industry with
optimum quality, with latest products avai labk
in the market at the most competitive prices. ,
It is the quality of the products and the services n
of our company towards its customers Ihat has
rC-ki
L

helped it in scal ing great heights. Our experienced

NET CONTENTS, I

iOOKGS
staff and associates ensure that all the products
are made from the fi nest material and adopts
stringent quality contro l measures through out
production process.

92
 Roha Pack PLC- Page 1

f eD'" "'I~£n. .r'f I Wafer Delivery Ite ms h "'l~'f",,'1" fT. I ....' : 0~n t h)
ml.'un -{l 0''-''1.1' <t:" ')-l.
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Roha Pack
fl Ail : OJ 1- 41 9 51 42144/ 4 6
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'/"CJ Y.f.\ : 0 9 1 J-4 S 2 4 721 73 lIon'i'f \>'~'111·t:h me "n'll "'I!1" £'):
-I-hll: OJ 1-4 19 51 47
Modern PET ( Plastic) B:;;t1es Ma-;'ufacturer
h .-D'"I. K. A. : roha p ack @e lhio n e C.el
h'-;:'.fl hOfl
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Our Address:
Roha Pack Pic
Nifas Si lk- I..afto Sub-city
(Around Hana Mariam bridge, off Ring Road) . I
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·1 Tel:Ol l - 4 19 5 1 42/44/46

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Mobi lc:091 1- 452472173
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Fa x: 0 11 -4 19 5147
E- mail : roh apnck @clh ionct.ct
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Addis Ababa i .'\Ollllio ll s (or j\l1<od<' rll ril c k"2, ill'-~, .,

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 Roha Pack PLC-Page 2

goC""~T'J Our Products A.:r· .P.. . ·': .A. uuJ'"jP:f / HDPE Bottles

T""tl1 (-r; -).) mC""-f\'f- / Pet Bottles rT,,"";11 unrlfjP:r· / PET Jars , \, ,
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1<flm -'1 For For
* 6f!" cry -t: 1< Water • II ""Ie. * ho ney
• 1I.e -)· 1t Jui ce • ). ·Y.II··~. • Peanut Butter
ft m~: .. . • OiL .. 1< '-fllI>/.-I.: h(l:. . . </{ Cos m etics ...

' 1.C""I".-';"'t\ ouJ""":r. / Pharm acy Bo ttles

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94
 Thermo Plastics Industry PLC-Page 1

~TH£RMOP L ASTICS &. ".EL A I E J

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Thermo Plastics Industry PlC-Page 2

'I .. , -
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h ib?" . ib. tC'1" TlIll1:n h. ,}~lI+t; From MA Therm.o Plastic Industry PlC

f~.e(l ti~ rO'tf.eh1l'4. '·cp .7:far?U ) l "Jt UJ 11:';+::: flY'1- f TI'\ll'th1:+

mC~(t:r· O-t-{\.f f ~m/ ~?UL+ -g.?ULCit:\
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C. t'\<>'lJ'1 mnmA t7Dlfl rn '1" "*" hTl'\ jl t t l f +~s- ,' (L.:r. CTTJ1A1J',(I)";f"
::. "" j\"l f'l lTOmrfl)'" ..... Pl as ti c h o u s e h o l d p rod u cts
;:; (\+I'I .£')'.. ~(f'1<tfD1- ..... l"ll""LP,97':j" ..... LlltL fl "}lJ..p7':f
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·'Jii<..e f1fo"l~A 11' ""1il+CQ.i! tl TI\ilt l-lC; tl~1D'11 4- 11 &1") (D-ITb -f.'1- ""1~I'l~"
..... Ma sterb atch fo r co l ori ng the products o f th e
P lastic & S h oe Factories
Are ~· o u tired o f exp en siye b r eaka ble & h ea yy bottles ?
,'ez !i ; g~·\·e., ou l:igi1 pe1:foi ' ;~ im;' C r:'" P.E. T ,:fg h ;-t? r & more e coi,;o;71fca l borries.
For packing of . .. Edi ble c il Pure o r gassed water . . F izzy dn nks . .. Fru,t Ju;ce
f".:1 Iner ai \'Vater ET C .

[ IJ'~T Y"(J)- 9'lC7-:;',. Y"-fa"fa rlJ''1T (J)-mT "(J)-

I ..\iM.'N:Ii;t.i.iiGil-jii : i ;t.iiM:G;j#~ii'·4:a;j¥1#i1;a:.1
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Te l (2 51-1 ) 340 107 Sales 513684 P () Box 4 787 (251-1 '1 3..:t1021
E -m3il - Thermo PJ3stic@tele co m net et ;:',ddis .t.,b8bCl I.KClliti )

96