Packaging News You Can Use

This week the main packaging news was all about packaging and the

environment. Several stories emerged both pro and con from some major

players. I’ve been following these issues for a while because the answers

and solutions are so murky.

There is no direct path to environmental sustainability in packaging. Even

the Sustainable Packaging Association can’t come to a true definition.

What we can agree on however, is a path on how to move forward.

Its going to take a lot of small steps to create a solution and sometimes

they just won’t work as we anticipate.

Two stores in this weeks news illustrates just how difficult it can be even

if you think you have created a great solution, some times it can backfire.

Consumers are fickle and what appears on the surface to solve a problem

can have hidden consequences.

Facing Criticism, KFC Intros Eco-Friendly Packaging

via Brandweek

Background on this article is that the Dogwood Alliance has generate a

lot of negative buzz around KFC cutting down Southern forests to make

packaging for its fast food. Obviously it’s had an impact since KFC introduced

this new packaging.

WSJ, FastCompany, USAToday, HuffPost, FoxNews all ran stories on

SunChips compostable packaging. My favorite is @ http://usat.ly/9l7ISY

Compostable Packaging

This is a huge story! I only listed a few of the news outlets. So big I’m going to

explain it in more detail at the Sustainable Plastics Packaging Conference in

Atlanta, December 8-9, 2010

Sustainable Plastics Packaging

Check it out but don’t register yet, I’ll have a discount code for my readers.

For more green packaging examples and issues be sure and follow

GreenPackagingWomen.com

Is there is an issue you would like to know more about or not sure how

to navigate the muddled waters of product packaging? I can help.

Just drop me a line with your specific question.

For more ways to utilize packaging branding, innovation and marketing

concepts to “connect” with your consumer contact me @

http://packagingdiva.com. You can also subscribe to the complimentary

newsletter ?Packaging News You Can Use? at the same address.

Tags: Biodegradable, biomimicry, Bioresins, carbon footprint, Compostable, corporate responsibility, CSR, eco friendly, eco packaging, ecoaware, environmentally-friendly, Green Living, Green News, green packaging, Green Packaging Design, greenpackagingwomen, less packaging, Natural Packaging, package design, packaging basics, packaging design, packaging expert, packaging help, packaging innovation, packaging insights, packaging tips, packaging trends, renew, repurpose, reuse, sustainable packaging, Sustainable Packaging Design, Sustainable Packaging Ideas

Biodegradable packaging is not always earth-friendly @ http://bit.ly/9rVoNJ
This is an interesting article because of all the rage over biodegradable packaging.

Efficient Sainsbury’s Easter Packaging Lays an Egg on Recycling http://bit.ly/auEezh
Plus the hubbub about recycling too.

These are topics I will be discussing in my webinar:
Designing Sustainable Packaging? 5 Things You Must Know 1st

Packaging Fail @ http://bit.ly/ay8Z5P
It never hurts to have another set of eyes review your copy. Funny goofs can generate by media mileage for you company especially if the mistake is “edgy”.
On point: “Packaging Eyeballs”

Amazon patents packaging surveillance says it’s 4 our own good @ http://bit.ly/bNPQgP
This is both bad and good. You can see how your product is packaged but do we really need all this information?
On point: Big Brother Is Watching You

Frustration-free packaging leaves trail of dead hard drive disks @ http://bit.ly/cveEne
Amazon is getting a really bad rap despite their best efforts in creating frustration-free packaging. Its’ one of the behind the scenes packaging things consumers never see they only rip it when it goes bad.
On point: Dumb Packaging Critics

Tags: Amazon, Biodegradable, business, business and the environment, corporate social responsibility, CSR, Earth Day, earth-friendly, eco packaging, frustration-free packaging, green, greenwash, package design, packaging design, packaging innovation, Sainsbury, sustainability, sustainable packaging

Valentine’s Day is the second most popular holiday for card giving and related gifts and it generates a lot of packaging.

If you buy candy it comes in a package. If you buy or have flowers delivered they were shipped in a package of some sort.

Even cards were delivered to the store in a box or if you buy boxed in bulk.

The point is we simply cannot eliminate packaging in our everyday lives. What we can do however, is figure out ways to make it better, more efficient and maybe even have a second life.

As we prepare for the coming “Packaging Wars” that is people against packaging, it’s time to rethink the role of product packaging. The packaging jobs we cannot eliminate, protect, convey, keep clean, sanitary, fresh, educate and to sell what’s inside. What needs to be considered is what to do with it is after the product is consumed or used is a major problem. Approximately 30% of landfills consist of packaging materials.

Can we effectively reduce packaging by considering the “lifecycle” of packaging?

That is from conception to the ultimate disposal. That’s how packaging solutions are born not just by reducing the amount of packaging material or changing the material is made out of to a supposedly more “eco” friendly alternative.

Ponder how packaging can be integrated into the entire big picture of consumer products. We need to rethink the entire way products are packaged. Yes, many products are overpackaged. But what most consumers don’t understand is that we can’t have products without packaging and what manufactures and CPG’s don’t understand is that consumers want to see lees of it. There in lies the problem, miscommunication about the role of product packaging!

Right now most environmental solutions consist of the 6’Rs.

Recycle: Partner with a company that will turn use packaging into something else after it has been used or consumed;

Example: Terracycle where CPG products are turned into other usable products for sale.

Reduce: That is use less packaging where possible such as reconfiguring a design for better space utilization or lightweighting packaging materials;

Example: Wal-Mart reconfiguring the traditional milk jug to a square bottle.

Refill: Have a container that can be easily refilled with products using a lot less packaging material;

Example: Method refillable cleaning products where you buy a designer container and refill with flexible pouches.

Via SustainableIsGood.com

Renew: Consider using packaging from the renewal natural resources. This is where are the “eco” materials are coming into play;

Example: Plantable packaging embedded with seeds.

Cargo Plant Love (plantable container)

Repurpose: Design the packaging with another purpose in mind after it has been consumed making the package turn into another product.

Example: Pizza boxes that tear apart into plates.

Reuse: Buy products in packaging that can be used over and over again.

Example: Glass bottles that can be refilled.

These are a start but not the ultimate answer.  So stay tuned for ideas thoughts and potential solutions. You have plenty of time to “green “ your packaging for Valentines Day next year.

Tags: Biodegradable, Cargo, Compostable, LifeCycle, lightweighting, overpackaged, packaging, recyle, reduce, refill, renew, repurpose, reuse, Terracycle, Valentine's Day, Wal-Mart

Gone are the days of packages sitting prettily on the shelf. There is too much competition so companies are looking for unique ways to engage the consumer. Much of this revolves around interactive packaging and social media where consumers are engaged through secondary actions. Smart or intelligent packages that help you make an informed decision or at the very least point you in the right direction. The mobile consumer is the target of much of these packaging innovations.

This field is in its infancy but statistics bear out that this type of package marketing is the wave of the future and is only limited by marketer’s imagination.

Recent Examples:

Augmented Reality

Via Notcot.com

Together with a camera and display screen, the software lets LEGO packaging reveal its contents fully-assembled within live 3D animated scenes.

2d Barcodes Engaging the Consumers In New Ways

Cheetos mobile site is Spanish

The Frito-Lay subsidiary in Mexico called Sabritas used a 2D bar code on special Halloween version of Cheetos packages to engage consumers.

Application can automatically launch a specific mobile Web site and deliver downloadable content.

Packaging Redesign Through Utilizing Social Media

Via Mashable.com

Here’s a new twist. VitaminWater used Facebook to build this brand and its flavor? What else could it be called but “Connect.”

I see new packaging videos everyday on YouTube too. Either explaining the packaging or making fun of it and in some cases engaging you in a decision.

One caution about these innovation packaging technologies, consumers are already overloaded as you will see in a future trend. There is only so much input a consumer can digest given the fact they already see thousands of marketing messages a day.

Packaging Phrases To Watch For In 2010:

• Augmented Reality
• 2D Barcodes
• Social Media
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Smart Packaging
• Intelligent Packaging
• Nanotechnology
• YouTube

Tags: Biodegradable, Bioplastics, Bioresins, Compostable, eco friendly, Extended Producer Responsibility, greenwashing, Precycling, Recyclable, Repurposed, sustainable

Packaging accounts for 30-35% of the waste stream and consumers are concerned what to do about it. They are demanding less packaging and that serves a secondary purpose or can be recycled or reused.

Many even want to just leave it at the store and retailers such as Tesco are accommodating them with bins at the front of the store. The growth of eco friendly or green packaging is outstripping conventional materials. A recent study says that growth for sustainable packaging will double. It seems that every company is seeking a “greener” packaging alternative and new products and new ideas are surfacing everyday.

Consider the 6/R’s in environmentally friendly package design in future package development.

Refill: Have a container that can be easily refilled with products using a lot less packaging material.

eco refill® Up to 85% less plastic*!!…Sounds unbelievable right?

Reduce: That is use less packaging where possible.

Via PopSop.com

From Glass To This Flexible Pouch Saving 97%. Further conversion to a secondary product like this example below.

Recycle: Partner with a company that will turn used packaging into something else.

Example: Teracycle

Reuse: By products in packaging that can be used over and over again.

Example: Refillable water bottles.

Eliminating any type of packaging from the waste stream. That is until the bottle breaks

Renew: Consider using packaging from the renewal natural resources.

Example Cargo Plant Love (plantable container)

Paper impregnated with seeds that you plant.

Repurpose: Design the packaging with another purpose in mind after it has been consumed.

Example: Packaging that turns into other useful products.

This entire unit is self contained within the packaging.

Whatever option you choose ensure your packaging aligns with your core eco message. Because of increashed “greenwashing” scrutiny be prepared to validate your green packaging claim.

Packaging Phrases To Watch For In 2010:

• Recyclable
• Compostable
• Sustainable
• Biodegradable
• Bioplastics
• Bioresins
• Greenwashing
• Repurposed
• Precycling
• Eco-friendly
• Extended Producer Responsibility

Tags: Biodegradable, Bioplastics, Bioresins, Compostable, eco friendly, Extended Producer Responsibility, greenwashing, Precycling, Recyclable, Repurposed, sustainable