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Containers cover a broad range of storage, transport, disposal and packaging devices. Bags, boxes, cartons, bottles and cans are all types of containers, and each serves a multitude of industries, from food processing to heavy construction. Containers are fabricated from plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, wood and other materials, in an almost limitless assortment of sizes and shapes. International shipping concerns, for example, use massive wood or metal cargo containers, while food companies use customized thermoformed plastic bags.

To find the right container for your needs, you must consider size, material, shape, purpose, life span, durability and strength. Size and shape are determined by the object(s) being contained, as well as by economical and aesthetic requirements. Due to the nature of certain machining processes, some shapes economize material better than others and are ultimately more cost-efficient. The shape of a soda can, for example, is the result of a geometrical analysis of material efficiency. Generally, the less material wasted, the more efficient the process. Size is often determined by tooling and marketing concerns as much as by the object being packaged.

The intended life span and durability of a container are also important in its selection. For example, cardboard boxes are generally selected for single-use applications, such as food packaging and shipping. Plastic and metal containers, on the other hand, are used in situations that call for extended and repeated use. The durability of these containers is typically determined by the level of use, with stronger and more costly materials being selected for long-term containment options. For this reason, cargo containers, which see repeated use in high-stress conditions, are constructed with durable metals. Plastics and other synthetics, while long-lived, may lose shape or crack under excessive loads and temperatures. The material used in containers is dependant on a variety of factors, from recycling needs and marketing issues to strength and longevity requirements.