Packaging News You Can Use

1. KFC Lands in Hot Water for its Packaging @ http://bit.ly/bYUYUT

When a negative packaging campaign goes viral its hard to react positively. But the best way to handle the negativity is to tell the truth. Understanding what’s behind the scenes can help dispel negative connotations with consumers.

So don’t get mad try this instead: When Packaging Is In The News, Capitalize On It

KFC is just one of many companies under attack by environmental and watchdog groups for product packaging.  While some of the claims are justified others are not.

I’ll be explaining how to capture your consumer though Packaging Trends Shaping The Consumer Experience @

More on point find out: Are You Wanted By The Packaging Police

2. How Much Does Eco-Friendly Packaging Matter to You? @ http://is.gd/bkhjt

The ongoing conversation has been about whether consumers really want environmentally friendly packaging.

And if they do would they be willing to pay for it?

Some of the best examples are in the beauty industry where there has been a lot of packaging innovation. Look for an upcoming interview with Glenn Abrahamson the Creator of OneBathAndBody.com an interesting eco-friendly packaging story to share.

3. Target Goes 4 Eco-credibility By Adding Recycling Bins To All Stores @ http://is.gd/biENS

Leave the packaging at the store. That’s what consumer say and Target is accommodating them.

What no one ever says is that all these retailer eco efforts are factored back into the price you ultimately pay for your product.

Eco-friendly packaging is such a complicated issue. I try to take the mystery out of it by explaining six steps that can get you going in the right direction in “Is It Green Or Garbage

4. Miller Colorado Native new “craft” beer 1st brand To use SnapTag technology on packaging @ http://bit.ly/ckQnQA

One of a number of new packaging technologies making a debut.

More technologies to watch in Your Packaging Does What?

5. ConAgra Foods To Significantly Reduce Packaging, Water, Greenhouse Gas @ http://bit.ly/asf0XC

When you are a big company small changes can make a huge difference. Baby steps along the way of rethinking our packaging conundrum. We need it but we don’t want too much of it.

For a further understanding and clarification about the issues read “People Against Packaging” @

Tags: business, ConAgra Foods, Consumers, Dogwood Alliance, Earth Day, eco packaging, global warming, green, greenwash, KFC, media, Miller, OneBathAndBody, online community, package design, packaging design, packaging innovation, packaging police, packaging trends, Rebranding, recycling, Small Business, SnapTag, social media, sustainability, sustainable packaging, Target

There’s been so much in the new lately about packaging under attack, I decided to reprise this article I wrote back in 2006

I finally had to speak out. The packaging industry is under attack by the “packaging police.”

There have been dozen of backlash articles about it in the news recently. To tell you the truth I’m sick of all the articles talking about freeing Barbie from her packaging prison and how may people went to the hospital because they injured themselves trying to open a plastic clamshell and other esoteric “packaging adventures.” These issues about packaging have been beaten to death and then some. And don’t forget the blogs. Some of the worst venting about packaging appears on personal blogs under the I’ve had a bad day column.

The media loves all the negative impressions people are bombarded with about the packaging in the waste stream, landfills etc. I too thought it was much higher (brainwashed that is) but I found out when I was at Cal Poly giving the opening keynote that its only 30% as opposed to the 70-80% the media and packaging detractors would have you believe.

Who are these “packaging police” anyway? What is there mission in life? Don’t they know that without a package you can have a product? That’s what packaging is all about getting the product safely, securely and intact to the ultimate user in addition to being the product spokes and sales person. So what else is a poor package to do? We have tamper evident, tamperproof, anti- counterfeit, date stamping, TTI’s, RFID, sonic welding and other additional security measures all designed to protect the consumer and they don’t even know it.

You’d be surprised at the number of people that don’t even know about product dating on the package. I can assure you I check. With all the concern over eating healthy, product freshness is an important issue and the package tells it all. I might mention here that I’s almost impossible to read the dates in many cases. They are either in obscure locations or the type is so small you need a magnifying glass.

(I hope you read “Packaging Your Products to Boomers” available at http://packagingcoach.com/everythingaboutpackaging.htm) But seriously, packages that are difficult to open will continue to be a problem as our population ages. Do the words “manual dexterity” ring any bells?

So consumers should just GET OVER IT since they are the main cause why many products are packaged with security in mind. Lets talk about theft, counterfeiting, product integrity and product security. I got an email from Tyrone in South Africa last week. He was giving a speech on packaging innovations that impact our lives and it got me to thinking about all the wonderful and creative packaging innovations in the last 40 years. Packaging that has literally changed our lives.

Some of innovations have come about due to dire threats such as the Tylenol incident. Can you believe that happened 20+ years ago? Think of the whole category of tamper-evident packaging that evolved from this situation. When I speak to students at schools and universities about packaging they have no idea what I am talking about. They just take it for granted.

Retail claims that theft is one their worst problems so packaging that protects products form being stolen is done for a reason. The same thing with counterfeiting, which incidentally is on the rise. Anyone reading about this knows this can and will be a huge issue with the number of packaging products being sourced off shore.

Some additional packaging possibilities that can pose potential “threats.”

• Green Packaging: Can you validate your claims?
• Organic Packaging: Watch out for regulatory agencies.
• RFID: Is big brother watching you or are you watching them?
• Healthy Packaging Claims: Is It True?
• Packaging For Seniors: Can they read or open the packaging? Is it REALLY senior-friendly?
• Copycat Packaging: A lawsuit waiting to happen and does every week.

So whatever packaging discipline you are in be sure and stay attuned to what are the “Hot button” issues in your field. Prevent the packaging police for setting their sights on you.

Please feel free to use me as a resource when it comes to understanding what packaging markets are hot and what are not. Or what companies are developing the latest in innovative packaging technology.

Tags: business, Consumers, Earth Day, eco packaging, global warming, green, greenwash, media, online community, package design, packaging design, packaging innovation, packaging police, packaging trends, Rebranding, Small Business, social media, sustainability, sustainable packaging

Packaging Tip:

If your packaging is controversial, don’t hide. Explain behind the scenes stuff that most peeps don’t understand and how it impacts the packaging.

Packaging is complicated and most consumers don’t understand how it works. When your packaging gets ripped by the media or consumers explain the rationale don’t stick you head in the sand and hope it goes away.

More on point: When Packaging Is In The News, Capitalize On It

Packaging Tip:

Eco and sustainable packaging means different things to different groups. Marry right packaging message to the right consumer.

As I explained in my sustainable packaging seminar

There is no one right solution. The problem can be solved in a myriad of ways. Consumers just want solutions they don’t care how you get there.

For 6 solutions that really work read “Is it Green Or Garbage

Packaging Tip:

True packaging innovation changes the way we shop and what we buy!

I use several examples of what true innovation can do. The Sargento reclosable cheese packaging that revolutionized the resealble packaging industry and Mann’s Broccoli Wokli package that created an entire category of prewashed, precut vegetables, salads and fruit.

On point: Is Packaging Innovation The Chicken Or The Egg?

Packaging Tip:

Once a packaging trend is successfully established others will follow suit. Question is your packaging at the beginning or end of the trend?

Once a technology is embraced the acceptance can spread rapidly. Its important to keep up with the packaging trends that might outdate your product because its not the latest technology.

For more insights on packaging trends read: 2010 Packaging Trends Impacting What Consumers Will Buy

Tags: business, Consumers, Earth Day, eco packaging, global warming, green, greenwash, online community, package design, packaging design, packaging innovation, packaging trends, Rebranding, Small Business, social media, sustainability, sustainable packaging

Join JoAnn Hines in this informative webinar provided by Sustainable Life Media

Live April 9th

Packaging is designed to convey and protect but what other functions must it serve too? Green product packaging and sustainability is the hottest issue facing manufacturers today. There is considerable confusion about what really is considered sustainable and why? How will this change affect the supply chain? Will “going green” change your brand perception from customers or more importantly will consumers really care? JoAnn will answer these questions and more, include a variety of case studies in packaging innovation and rebranding, and give you smart ideas for rationally including sustainability as part of operations and brand strategy.

Register @ http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/events/online/sbbootcamp

Packaging Diva Discount:
If you plan to attend the Sustainable Life Media Bootcamp
Get a 15% discount using my special code spksbbcs2 when you register
@ http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/events/online/sbbootcamp

Tags: business, business and the environment, climate change, corporate social responsibility, CSR, Earth Day, eco packaging, global warming, green, greenwash, online community, package design, packaging design, packaging innovation, Rebranding, social media, sustainability, Sustainable Life Media, sustainable packaging