Discuss how packaging affects manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Containers and packaging make up a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 82.2 million tons of generation in 2018 (28.1 percent of total generation)” – as a business person, packaging is very important to what we sell. There may be laws we have to follow (such as safety guidelines given by the Food and Drug Administration), the product may need protecting during shipping and on the shelf, and it is a key factor consumers consider (attractiveness, convenience, and what the packaging signals, among other things). Why do you think plastic is such a popular packaging material? Do you think consumers or manufacturers will be able to move away from plastic packaging any time soon?

Discuss the challenges and considerations involved in packaging for e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC) distribution.

Explain how can firms use supply chain management to differentiate their products?