Packaging is used in virtually all forms of distribution. The types of packs used can be categorised as follows:
Primary:
The customer pack immediately surrounding the finished product
Secondary:
The pack (often a corrugated fibreboard box) used to contain batches of primary packs
Tertiary:
The carrier/container for batches of secondary packs
There can be further layers of packaging, but the above generalisation is typical of many distribution chains.
Much of this packaging is re-used or recycled.