Digipacks

I've been fortunate with a couple of soundtracks lately when it comes to their packaging. The Indy 4 and Wall-E soundtracks both come in digipak's in the United States, but here in Australia they are in a jewel case.

For the most part, I don't really mind digipak's, so long as there is a proper holder for the CD to be placed in. That way there is no more risk of scratches than there would be if it was placed in a regular jewel case.

Yeah, that slide-it-in pocket kinda thingy some digipacks have instead of a proper plastic cd holder is very annoying as it evidently scratches the disc every time you take it out and put it back in; but generally speaking, i love digipacks, despite the obvious suffer in artwork out of usage.

Yep.

Agree with you. The Universal France digi's are verygood though, no cardboard to slide the CD into.

The jewel case as convenient and comfortable we are with it is horrible for the enviroment. It is a #6 plastic (polystyrene) and is very difficult to dispose of. The digipack is better in this respect.
Health and fire hazards
There is concern about the trace presence of polystyrene's production chemicals in the final plastic product, most of which are toxic if not removed. For instance benzene, which is used to produce ethylbenzene for styrene, is a known carcinogen. As well, unpolymerized styrene may pose health risks. Nevertheless, the EPA states:

“ Styrene is primarily used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins. Acute (short-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in mucous membrane and eye irritation, and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic (long-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in effects on the central nervous system (CNS), such as headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression, CSN dysfunction, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy. Human studies are inconclusive on the reproductive and developmental effects of styrene; several studies did not report an increase in developmental effects in women who worked in the plastics industry, while an increased frequency of spontaneous abortions and decreased frequency of births were reported in another study. Several epidemiologic studies suggest there may be an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. However, the evidence is inconclusive due to confounding factors. EPA has not given a formal carcinogen classification to styrene. [10] ”

Polystyrene is classified according to DIN4102 as a "B3" product, meaning highly flammable or "easily ignited." Consequently, though it is an efficient insulator at low temperatures, it is prohibited from being used in any exposed installations in building construction as long the material is not flame retarded, e.g., with hexabromocyclododecane. It must be concealed behind drywall, sheet metal or concrete. Foamed polystyrene plastic materials have been accidentally ignited and caused huge fires and losses, for example at the Düsseldorf International Airport, the Channel tunnel (where polystyrene was inside a railcar that caught on fire), and the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant (where fire reached through a fire retardant and reached the foamed plastic underneath, inside a firestop that had not been tested and certified in accordance with the final installation).

In addition to fire hazard, polystyrene can be dissolved by substances that contain acetone (such as most aerosol paint sprays), and by cyanoacrylate glues.


[edit] Environmental concerns and bans
Polystyrene is not easily recycled because of its light weight (especially if foamed) and its low scrap value. It is generally not accepted in kerbside (curbside) collection recycling programs. Pure polystyrene is quite resistant to bio-degradation and photolysis[11]. The plastic may also be harmful to wild animals if it is ingested by them. According to the California Coastal Commission, it is now a principal component of marine debris.

Restricting the use of foamed polystyrene takeout food packaging is a priority of many solid waste environmental organizations. A campaign to achieve the first ban of polystyrene foam from the food & beverage industry in Canada has been launched in Toronto as of January 2007, by local non-profit organization NaturoPack.[12]

Thomas

The only acceptable digipacks are the ones from Universal Jazz. The Movie Score Media digipacks for example not even fit into my cd holder.

That's 'cause they have big kick-ass music in them.

Tom, your forgot to quote the references!

I know exactly what you're talking about. That happens to me a lot, as well, sadly.

Sorry Alan it was wikipedia. But no matter people pretty much ignored it anyway.
Thomas

What are digipacks?

My Indy 4 OST is in a plastic case. Why digipack though? Why not card case?

I like my Lost World card case. And my Jaws card case. And my Close Encounters one.

Let me put it to you this way
1... Plastic=your support of the oil companies who have a huge amount of control in the world
2... Plastic material used in the jewel cases cannot be recycled without great expense
Thomas

We need to try to limit the amount of plastic that we use so our children and grandchildren will have a better world to live in. Recycled cardboard is the best way to go until we completely shift over to all download.
Thomas