Sustainable Packaging

Candace Hodder considers on the Dieline what makes packaging more sustainable than others. Hodder says, “A sustainable package represents a fully optimized use of environmental resources throughout its entire life cycle.” Once the packaging has fulfilled its purpose (protecting the goods it is transporting and sometimes conveying information about the product) you want to be left with the least amount of wastage possible. 

Even the smallest change is beneficial, as can be witnessed from the company Kraft. This company came up with a more efficient design for the zipper on their cheese packaging. As seen below:

By making this one small adjustment, they are saving more than a million pounds on packaging every year. Just by changing the zipper!

Aaron Mickelson developed five clever concepts that makes sure no waste is left over once the packaging has playing its part. For example, he created packaging for a roll of bags for company Glad.

For Nivea he created packaging for a soap box. When taken into the shower, the packaging is affected by water and simply dissolves, leaving the product behind. 

 

The next design is laundry detergent packaging for the company Tide. “Pods” can be torn off and used one by one until there is simply no packaging left. In this case, the product IS the packaging.

Yves Béhar also recently developed the idea of replacing the traditional shoe box for Puma with a reusable bag. The solution reduces the amount of waste and carbon emissions. It also eliminates the use of plastic carrier bags with its own handle. With this concept Puma will consume 8,500 tons less of paper, save on 20 millions megajoules of electricity, use 1 million litres less of fuel oil, save on 500,000 litres of diesel during transport and save up to 275 tons of plastic! 


Brazilian burger chain Bob’s take the "no waste" concept even further by creating edible packaging! A biodegradable membrane has been developed, named "WikiCells", which draws inspiration from grape skins. These membranes can be washed - and eaten.

 

How a product can be transported is also very important and plays a large part in its carbon footprint. This is something that I will have to consider with the packaging of my paint container too. Though the appearance of the Coca Cola bottle has proven to be one of the most recognisable objects in the world, designer Andrew Kim has introduced a new design that works with sustainability in mind.

By transforming the shape of the bottle and giving it a more square-like appearance (he was influenced by companies like Fiji, whose bottles are more rectangular) Kim has created a bottle that uses shipping space more efficiently. The bottles can now be stacked together, both horizontally and vertically. The outer packaging can then be collapsed after their use, which also saves space when they are transportation to the recycling centre. With this design, more bottles can be fitted into the truck for transportation. This means that less trucks will be needed to transport the bottles, amounting in large savings of greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

Personal thoughts:

Obviously, it is going to be harder to achieve such a result with paint, as paint has so many considerations that needed to be accounted for with its packaging. However, I feel that this research has made me more aware of what can be achieved through the use of packaging. I would like my packaging to be compact and perhaps stack-able, so that it can be efficiently placed into the trucks for transportation. 

References:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1601616/whats-square-root-sustainability-coke-bottle
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/11/13/what-makes-a-package-sustainable.html 
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/9/26/concept-the-disappearing-package.html
http://www.footballboots.co.uk/445-puma-pioneers-new-sustainable-packaging.html 
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/10/21/zero-waste-packaging.html

Cardboard

Thinking of how my paint containers could be transported, I researched further into paper-based products.

- The UK produces over 8 million tons of cardboard (for packaging) every year.

- Cardboard is made from cellulose fibres that are created from wood pulp. During recycling, the cardboard is soaked and agitated in order to release the fibres that can then be pulped.

- Cardboard can be recycled up to five times before the fibres eventually shorten and then disintegrate. Unlike metals such as aluminium, steel and tinplate, cardboard is not endlessly recyclable, which could cause problems in the future.

- Cardboard is often used as protective packaging to make sure that a product is transported to the consumer safely. Heritage Pioneer say on their website, “Fragile content, including glass products, electronic items and chemical liquids, remain secure and protected with corrugated cardboard packaging.”

- Food products must withstand long shipping times. Corrugated card protects against moisture to keep foods from spoiling during transport.

- Card can be moulded into various shapes and comes in numerous sizes.

- Card comes at an extremely low cost. This is due to the low cost of labor and tools needed for manufacture.

- Cardboard packaging can also be easily printed on. Therefore, no extra material must be wasted to produce a label.

- Post Pack says that, “Cardboard boxes or cartons are the backbone of most transit packaging.”

- Many paper-based materials are cut from sustainable woodlands.

- Boxes can be reused.

Personal thoughts:

Cardboard seems like the obvious choice when it came to thinking out how to transport my paint. Cardboard boxes can be easily  recycled and reused, though I was surprised to find they can only be recycled up to five times. This is certainly something to consider. 

If paint spilled onto the packaging, it would  take a lot of paint to ruin the strong cardboard, yet this could happen in the carriers were not too careful. 

However, cardboard is strong, cheap and light. It could hold two paint containers without breaking, though a cardboard handle would have to be very strong to withstand the weight. 

References:

http://www.postpack.co.uk/acatalog/Packaging_and_the_Environment.html

http://www.elsarecycle.co.uk/cardboard.htm

http://www.hpcorporategroup.com/benefits-of-corrugated-cardboard-for-packaging.html

Tinplate

- Tin plating is an industrial process where metals are coated with a thin layer of tin. This usually involves steel, though can also be done with iron and copper. Base materials like iron and steel are therefore more protected from rust and corrosion through this process. 

- Tinplate is durable and 100% recyclable. This material can be recycled endlessly without loosing quality.

- Tinplate has the strength and formability of steel and the nontoxic properties of tin.

- It is easily solderable.

- It is used largely for food and drink containers, paints, oils, pots and pants and tobacco. Recently it is also being used in toys, baking products and electronic equipment.

- Tinplate looks premium, which would satisfy my target audience.

- It is resistant to different temperatures, impervious to light, gas and diffusion.

- Very strong and light, tinplate is good at protecting products.

- Using tinplate lends a reduced carbon footprint and a saving of approximately 75% of energy consumption.

- However, when the metal is damaged or scratched, the underlying metal is left exposed, meaning that it can rust and corrode. As tin is one of the softer metals, it is easier to damage than others.

- Tinplate cannot resist freezing conditions.

Personal thoughts:

Tinplate seems to have many similar properties to steel, meaning that aluminum is still better for the environment and at reducing CO2 emissions. Tinplate, however, is commonly used for paint packaging and is therefore extremely suitable for the job.

Tinplate has many advantages, however, aluminium is slighter better for the environment and has similar advantages, so this might be the better metal to use during my project.

References:
http://www.tinplate-products.com/

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/596655/tinplate
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-tin-plating.htm
http://www.apeal.org/uploads/ModuleXtender/Library/65/APEAL-LCA_summary_paper1.pdf

https://www.itri.co.uk/
http://www.packaging-int.com/article/metal-packaging-for-foods-reliable-tinplate-packaging-solutions.html

Bioplastics

- Bioplastics help to reduce our impact on the planet, as they are plant-based rather than oil-based, like typical plastics. This helps to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

- Bioplastics can be made from corn, sugar cane, potatoes, tapioca and algae.

- They are biodegradable, compostable or fully recyclable. Since they are not made by using petroleum and other fossil fuels, they offer a reduced carbon footprint and a reduced use of fossil resources.

- European Bioplastics say that bioplastics can be used for packaging, service ware, automotive parts, electronic consumer goods and many more applications where conventional plastics are used.

- In 2011, 1.2 million tonnes of bioplastics were being produced per year, compared to 280 million tonnes of total plastic production. Bioplastics are still fairly new and are only beginning to penetrate the market.

- Coca Cola has started to use “Plantbottle”, which is made from 30% of bioplastics. According to their informational video, in the first year that they produced these products, they distributed over 18 billion Plantbottle's in more than 25 countries. Coca Cola wants to use bioplastics in all of their bottles by 2020. So far, they saved using approximately 60,000 barrels of oil by incorporating bioplastics into their design. 

 

- Bioplastics don't rust like metals, which could be useful for paint containers.

- According to the 2013 Eurobarometer survey, about 80% of European consumers want to buy products that have a minimal impact on the environment - bioplastics offer a great solution.

- Bioplastics are rarely used to contain paints, yet I found one strong example that has been created by the paint brand Tollens. The paint they created is plant-based, so they felt it appropriate to also use a plant-based container. Léon Mentink, product manager at Roquette, says that this packaging, “Can be used to replace the fossil-based raw material normally used for plastics... among the environmental benefits is the reduction of the carbon footprint by 65 per cent compared to polypropylene, as certified by the accountancy and consultancy company PwC.”

 

Personal Thoughts:

Bioplastics are quite obviously beneficial and, as seen above, can be used to contain paint. However, when thinking about my target audience I fear that they would not suit. Bioplastic containers do not look premium like metal ones and I fear this could put the audience off a purchase. They lack the sophistication that comes with the metal container. The client also expressed his distaste that the container should be transparent and many bioplastics come in this format, even if not all of them do.

References:

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/

http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/2013-eurobarometer-survey-european-emergency-number-112

http://www.cereplast.com/

http://en.european-bioplastics.org/

Steel

- Steel is durable and hard-wearing. 

- Though steel has high carbon emissions during production, it can be kept in the 'recycling - loop' so that it won't go to landfill sites. It can be recycled continuously without loosing quality.

- Steel paint tins only need to be cleaned before they can be recycled.

- Using recycled steel saves 75% of CO2 emissions and 75% of the energy needed to make steel from virgin materials.

- Steel is much stronger than aluminium. It has the highest strength to weight ratio of any building material.

- All steel cans contain a minimum 25% recycled content. The remaining 75% recycled steel is used around the world for construction of bridges, automobiles, as well as wind turbines.

- 1.8 billion drinks cans are made of steel

- Steel can, however, easily rust if the paint container has not been sealed properly after use.

- Unlike aluminium, steel is prone to corrosion.

Personal thoughts:

From my research, I have discovered that aluminium is more eco-friendly than steel. Every tonne of aluminium recycled saves 9 tonnes of CO2 emissions, 95% of the energy needed to make aluminium from virgin material and 95% of greenhouse gas emissions. Recycled steel, though still very much so profitable to the environment, saves at the most 75% the energy needed to make aluminium from virgin material and 75% of greenhouse gas emissions

Aluminium, as a light, thin product, would also be more suitable for a paint container, as it will be easier to carry and transportation would be easier. 

References: 

http://www.recycle-steel.org/

http://www.tatasteeleurope.com

http://steelrecyclingfacts.com/steel-can-facts/

http://www.mpma.org.uk/pages/pv.asp?p=mpma68

 

Aluminium

- Aluminium is 100% recyclable. It can be melted down and reformed without losing any quality, while this process can be repeated continuously without the metal loosing form.

- 75% of all aluminium that has ever produced is currently still in productive use. 

- It is the most recycled of any industry metal.

- The emissions savings from aluminium recycling have more than doubled since 1990. The aim is to increase this by a further 50% by 2020.

- Aluminium recycling saves over 90 millions tonnes of CO2 annually.

- Aluminium recycling requires up to 95% less energy than primary aluminium production. On average 170 GJ of primary energy (most in the form of electricity) is required to produce a tonne of primary aluminium, while a tonne of recycled aluminium requires only 10 GJ.

 

- This metal is used in buildings, transport, numerous packaging, machinery, electrical applications, consumer durables etc. It is lightweight, heat-resistant and flexible. It also has the best properties to keep food and drink, toiletries and pharmaceuticals fresh and safe. This means that products stored in aluminium containers will have a longer shelf-life.

- Its finish is compatible with all printing technologies. Embossing, embedding and lacquering can also be used on aluminium.

- Aluminium is a very light material (about the quarter of steel), which helps save resources during product transportation and storage. It is one the lightest materials to offer a strong barrier against gases, light and moisture, meaning that it can help to extend the life of the products it is protecting.

- Some Life Cycle Assessments (LCA's) show that aluminium packaging contributes less than 10% of the environmental impact in a product‘s lifecycle.

- Disadvantages include that aluminium is easy to scratch, it is expensive and is not strong when compared to steel.

Personal thoughts:

It seems to me that the advantages of using aluminium greatly outweigh the few disadvantages. Aluminium is a very versatile metal, which would be perfect as a paint can container. It is strong and secure, meaning that the paint can be stored safely. I have discovered that aluminium is also a very environmentally-friendly metal. It can be recycled over and over again and it seems that people actually make the effort to make sure that it is being recycled. It is also very light, which will be convenient during transportation. 

References:

http://recycling.world-aluminium.org/en/home.html

http://www.matalco.com/about_aluminum.htm

Origami Packaging

Origami packaging has become more and more popular over recent years and is especially good at reducing waste. Keeping in mind the eco-friendly benefits of origami packaging, I decided to research further into the subject.

 

Popup Paris

French company, Popup Paris, released a candle that may, “reveal a 0.15-0.25 carat diamond when the wax burns - as one is hidden within every 50 candles.” The packaging for this product is inspired by origami folds. It opens up into a geometric shape. Bold colouring has been used, softened on the outside of the packaging with a recurring pattern. It is also eco-friendly, for it has been created from recycled material. 

Doritos

This doritos packaging is a concept that appeared multiple times during my research, descried as an innovative piece of packaging. This has been designed by Peter Pavlov and the design takes influence from origami. It appears to be made up of triangles, which relates the packaging back to the product. The lid can be easily folded into place and opened, with no extra material required. Pavlov writes that the final form of the packaging resembled a simplified totem, which relates back to ancient ancestors of Mexico, the Aztecs. The packaging is also made out of environmentally-friendly cardboard, meaning that the natural texture of the material resembles that of the chips. I love how so many considerations like this has gone into the packaging production. Everything links back to the product.

The Sustainable Expanding Bowl

This has been designed by Anna Glancen, Hanna Billquist and Swedish research company Innventia. The packaging (which comes flat) expands into a bowl, which the user can eat from, when hot water is added. It is made from bio-based and bio-degradable materials, making it beneficial for the environment, while the folds and appearance clearly mark origami as an influence. The report of this product, seen on the Dieline, says “As consumers increasingly expect sustainable packaging to have intelligent, reactive design attributes, brands will continue to produce more packs with transformational properties.”

This Is Origami

Deigned by Magdalena Czarnecki.

The packaging of this product has been given a secondary use, to be put into use after its initial purpose is complete. Simple step-by-step instructions have been included on how to fold the bag into an origami animal. The money raised then goes to the WWF, going towards helping save endangered animals. It is a fun and quirky idea and the packaging is beautiful.

Jurlique

This box, designed for Australian cosmetic brand Jurlique, is made out of a single sheet, created through a series of origami folds. It is held together with a single tab and once this tab is removed, the box opens to reveal the product and the bold graphical print inside. This also reduces the amount of packaging used, while the box is made from recycled card. This is a fun design, which is incredibly easy to open, saving the fuss of having to rip into tough plastic. 

Senba Tea

The origami cranes are a symbol of peace and calm in Japanese culture. The packaging for Senba tea is made from triangles, the main shapes used to make these cranes. When the links of these papers are hung from the side of a cup, they resemble the appearance of the origami cranes. The triangular packaging opens to display a single tea bag.

The materials used in this packaging, including the box, are recyclable. Not only that, but the fabric is made from corn and any glue that has been used is made from plants, meaning that it is bio degradable.

The design is practical, beautiful and environmentally-friendly.

Chocolate Hare

This design was created to celebrate the chinese new year. At the time of its production, it was the year of the hare, and so this was incorporated into the design. The wrapper reads: "Happy New 2011 Year! Please don't throw the wrapper. You can make a Origami Bunny out of it. An instructional leaflet is attached under the wrapper.”.

This product is trying to reduce waste and does this by giving the packaging a secondary use; making an origami hare out of the wrapper! The design is also very strong, with the bright, bold red and subtle shapes that link to origami.

Overall, I feel that origami packaging is intricate and wholly unique. If pulled off correctly, it looks very impressive and also adds a playful edge to a design. It is also very environmentally-friendly However, I ultimately don't think that it is suited for packaging paint, as it isn't strong enough.

References:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtCea3mWEssH1Gz9MBahDtwftHdJhzjFAs8-OPX_7IYidH_agL9O27IQpmAT7kVMmWhjzhkiWsAflZ-czHQ__-pBHk-U6NDS3Wxycbg_y2BFWgeu0BkZ6IcmdvJ6J665VbTJ1AIG2adU/s640/packaging.jpg

http://abduzeedo.com/project-study-doritos-package
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/10/1/the-future-of-sustainable-packaging-is-about-being-smarter-a.html
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/6/23/the-dieline-package-design-awards-2013-sustainable-packaging.html

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2009/5/20/this-is-origami.html

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2008/11/8/jurlique-unfolds.html

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/3/8/student-spotlight-senba-tea.html 

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2012/7/16/chocolate-hare.html