Who This Checklist Is For

I'm an office administrator for a mid-sized consumer goods company. I manage all packaging ordering—roughly $120,000 annually across 8 vendors. Last quarter, my VP asked me to consolidate suppliers and cut costs on our rigid plastic packaging line for new products like pet pillows and small parts containers.

If you're in a similar spot—buying plastic packaging, trying to understand what PE plastic even is, and wondering whether Amcor or Berry Global is worth the premium—this checklist is for you. I've made every mistake below so you don't have to.

The 5-Step Supplier Evaluation Checklist

Step 1: Get Clear on Your Material Needs (Especially PE Plastic)

Before you call a single vendor, know your plastic types. The most common question I get: "What is PE plastic?"

PE (polyethylene) is the workhorse of rigid plastics—used for bottles, jars, caps, and film. It comes in two main grades: HDPE (high-density) for stiff containers like shampoo bottles, and LDPE (low-density) for flexible squeeze bottles. If your product is a pet pillow, you might need a film pouch made of LDPE. If it's a rigid case, HDPE is your friend.

One thing I learned the hard way: don't assume all PE is the same. I once specified "PE" on an RFQ and got quotes for LDPE when I needed HDPE. The difference? HDPE costs roughly 15-20% more per pound, but you'll pay double in reorders if you pick the wrong one.

Step 2: Check Supplier's Material Expertise (Not Just Size)

Big names like Amcor and Berry Global (which recently merged parts of its rigid plastics division—hence "amcor berry plastics" chatter) have deep material science teams. That matters when you need custom blends or sustainability data. But they come with a price tag.

When I looked into Amcor's rigid plastics USA operations, I found they specialize in PET and polypropylene—less so in standard HDPE. That's not a flaw; it's a fit issue. If your product needs PE, Amcor may not be the best choice. Per their own sustainability report, they focus heavily on recycled PET (rPET) for beverage bottles. Great for Coke, not great for my pet pillow packaging.

Honest limitation: Big global suppliers are excellent if you need regulatory compliance (FTC Green Guides—see below) or large volumes. But if you're under 50,000 units/year, a mid-tier specialty molder may serve you better and cheaper.

Step 3: Understand the Full Cost Picture (Not Just Nitrile vs. Plastic)

You'll see cost comparisons like nitrile cost vs. plastic. Nitrile (used in gloves and seals) is more expensive but offers chemical resistance. For packaging, stick to plastic unless your product requires oil barriers. The trap: I once tried to save $200 by switching to a cheaper PE supplier who couldn't provide proper invoices. Finance rejected the expense, and I ended up spending $600 on a rush reorder from the original vendor.

Real cost factors for rigid plastic packaging (based on publicly listed prices, January 2025):

Always ask for a total landed cost quote—including shipping, setup, and any hidden fees like custom colors.

Step 4: Verify Their Sustainability Claims (It's Not Optional)

Per FTC Green Guides (ftc.gov, 16 CFR Part 260), claims like "recyclable" must be substantiated. A vendor who says their PE plastic is 100% recyclable but can't provide third-party certification is a red flag. I've dealt with three vendors claiming "eco-friendly" packaging—only one had actual ISCC PLUS cert. The other two cost me a compliance headache.

For admin buyers: always request a copy of their sustainability report or third-party audit. If they can't produce it, move on.

Step 5: Test with a Small Order Before Committing

I wish I'd followed my own rule earlier. After consolidating to one supplier for all pet pillow packaging, the first batch arrived with inconsistent thickness—some pouches tore, others were too stiff. The vendor blamed it on "material variation." I had to order from a backup supplier at 30% markup.

My rule now: Always place a pilot order of 5-10% of your annual volume. Check:

When This Checklist Won't Work

This checklist is for standard rigid/flexible packaging orders. It won't help if you need:

A lesson learned the hard way. But now I sleep better knowing my supplier process actually works.

Amcor Technical Desk

The desk prepares packaging, polymer, compliance, and sustainability notes for B2B teams comparing Amcor rigid plastics and related material programs.