Appreciation for Smart Eco-Friendly Packaging
What is Eco-friendly Packaging?
My definition is the packaging of a product that is carefully thought out to be minimal and made out of truly recyclable or reusable materials, or compostable materials (like Glass, Aluminum, Cardboard).
Eco-friendly packaging shows the consumer the company is thinking holistically. Packaging is only used temporarily to protect and keep the product clean while it’s being transported. If more companies thought about the way their products are being transported and the life cycle of their products, the world would be a better place.
What Companies should think about:
1. Eco Friendly Product
2. Life Cycle of the Product (Sourcing to Disposal)
3. Eco-Friendly Packaging of the product
The design phase of product is crucial. It is during this phase designers can get creative on ways provide a product and achieve the lowest negative impact to the Mother Earth. Once mass produced, it uses these resources over and over again. This is why we need more corporate responsibility in the design phase. Revaluate this part and it can make a significant change and impact. Using minimal amounts of packaging would also help the company save money.
Why Plastic is not “recyclable”?
“Recycling” of Plastic is DOWN-CYCLING. The plastic material degrades in quality when it gets “recycled,” deemed usable after a couple cycles. Glass and Aluminum can continuously be recycled multiple times without the quality degrading, only if humans were to put it in the right stream. Cardboard is also recyclable as well as truly compostable. Shredded Cardboard will help your vegetable scraps turn into compost aka fertilizer aka nutrients/food for your plants.
Here are some examples of companies that have thought creatively on their packaging.
The LAST SWAB
The Last Swab Is an alternative to Q-Tips. Often the tips are made out of cotton (sustainably okay) but the stick is plastic. Some Q-tips sticks are cardboard, but it comes wrapped in plastic. It’s hard to find out if something will come wrapped in plastic or not. It’s not until it gets delivered you find out the truth. Ultimately, even the can generate waste Q-tip by Q-tip and take up space in a landfill. I received the Basic and Beauty. I use the Basic more often than the Beauty.
Price: $12
Materials:
Swab: The Tips seemed to be made of Silicone, Sticks seems to be made out the Corn-based Material
Swab Case: Corn Based Material
Packaging: Cardboard, SKU sticker (Small but not sure if Compostable)
Close Up of the The Last Swab Packaging.
IGLOO RECOOL
Usually made out of Styrofoam, Igloo has developed a 100% Biodegradable Reusable Cooler that’s affordable. Styrofoam takes HUNDREDS of years to break down in the landfill.
PRICE: It’s on Sale at Target for $6.29. (Prices may change) It’s usually ~$10, Also found at REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods
Material: Paper Pulp/ Paraffin Wax, Alkyl ketene dimer (Don’t know what that is yet)
The paper pulp is made out of post-consumer materials.
Igloo Recool Reusable Cooler Spotted at Target
Other great examples of Eco-friendly packaging.
(Photos are not mine)
Shampoo Bottle Made Out of Soap
Light Bulb Packaging
Seed Shampoo & Conditioner
Volleyball
TIP
I love following the r/DesignPorn Subreddit! The content is not exclusive to eco-friendly packaging, but it sure is clever and gets you to think differently and appreciate design.
What clever packaging have you seen? I would love to hear your thoughts!