Tag Archives: eco-friendly packaging

Microalgae packaging becomes biostimulant after use

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Most people (at least those who are thoughtful and aware enough) are now pretty conscious about how we consume things and where all our waste goes. This also means there is no shortage of product designers who have been experimenting on how to recycle and upcycle materials and products that reach end of life. Product waste is something we also need to think about since this will forever be part of human development.

Designer: Laura Bordini

By Osmosis is a project by Laura Bordini that explores how to use product waste and turn it into a biomaterial that can serve a different purpose and then eventually be used to help grow plants, creating a circular process. She used microalgae biomass that came out of the water purification process of a waste disposal center in Lindlar, Germany. Out of that, she was able to create agricultural biostimulants. The microalgae biomaterial can be turned into things like packaging before turning them into stimulants to promote plant growth and create better soil quality.

One of the packaging that she was able to create is a flower holder made from microalgae and wood powder. Since flowers have an end date as well, the packaging can them be repurposed as biostimulant if you’ll not be using it anymore. Another item she was able to create was seed containers, which again, is pretty apt for this circular process of ecological regeneration. We can also see plantable cards with messages like “Nice to seed you” and it’s made up of seeds and microalgae.

Algae is not a major material that product designers think of but with this experiment, she’s hoping that creators can see it as a future material for their products. It’s materials like these as well as the process to extract and create them that make the ecological regeneration a reality and hopefully, eventually become the norm.

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Eco-friendly coffee pod brand pairs product with sustainable packaging

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As a regular (addicted) coffee drinker, I use different methods to get my caffeine fix. Most of the time I just use a good ole coffee brewer but when I need a sort-of espresso fix, my coffee pod machine is the most convenient way since I don’t have an actual espresso machine. However we know that this isn’t the most environmentally-friendly way to consume coffee. But we’re seeing several brands come up with a more sustainable way forward for the k-cup industry.

Designer: Zenpack for Cambio

Cambio Roasters is one such brand that came up with organic coffee pods that were made up of just two materials: #5 polypropylene plastic and aluminum. But they didn’t want to just stop with the pods but come up with sustainable packaging as well. Zenpack created this container with eco-friendly materials that can serve also as a mini recycling bin for the pods before you bring them to the actual recycling bin.

The container is made from molded pulp with added vertical ribs to give it more structure. It is able to hold 10 pods both for when it is shipped and for when you want to hold your used pods. Even the label is sustainable as it’s a glue-free belly band with a tear strip. All of the elements of this packaging can be thrown into a larger receptacle recycling bin. The container can also be used as a temporary compost bin for your coffee grounds and other kitchen scraps.

With people becoming more conscious with how they consume products, it is good that more sustainable brands are emerging. We stan these brands that not only think of their main products but also their packaging, which can sometimes get lost in the shuffle.

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A New Material For Eco-Friendly Packaging For Coffee that’s not just beigie

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In today’s consumer-oriented market, packaging plays a vital role in capturing attention, conveying brand messages, and standing out from the competition. However, the issue of waste generated by packaging disposal has become a growing concern. To address this, the Earthmade Aromabox presents a remarkable solution—a home-compostable, eco-friendly packaging design that revolutionizes the coffee industry’s approach to sustainability.

Packaging is an integral part of the consumer experience, but its disposal is often overlooked. In a world of diverse packaging options, evaluating the best kind involves considering its sustainability and value even after it is discarded. Earthmade Aromabox sets a new standard by offering a packaging solution that is not only visually appealing but also environmentally conscious.

Designer: Alex Philpott (Beta Design Office)

The Aromabox is a coffee packaging solution designed for beans and grounds, crafted using Bamboo-O which is an eco-friendly material made from bamboo fiber and plant starch. Unlike conventional packaging, it contains zero plastic and is entirely natural. After years of research and development, Bamboo-O was created, leveraging the flexibility of starch and the strength of bamboo. This material mimics the rigidity of plastic while being completely home-compostable.

Earthmade had a brilliant idea to shake things up in the coffee packaging world, so they teamed up with Beta. They wanted to give roasteries and retailers a better option than those pesky PLA-lined paper and plastic bags. And guess what? Beta was totally on board with its vision of “natural circulation.” They wanted to create coffee packaging that not only made people happy when they used it but also got them all hyped up about being eco-friendly. Because let’s face it, convenience is important, but so is saving the planet.

Through multiple iterations, Beta refined the Aromabox design based on market research and feasibility testing. The resulting design fulfills the essential function of coffee packaging—preserving the freshness of the coffee—while adhering to Earthmade’s commitment to sustainability.

Earthmade offers the Aromabox with two different lid styles: push-fit and screw-top. The packaging features an integrated cork layer, ensuring tight and secure sealing, while its vertical tessellation when empty enables roasteries to save space and transportation costs.

The Aromabox has a degassing valve on the underside. This little valve is a game-changer when it comes to preserving the flavor, aroma, and texture of your coffee. It lets the carbon dioxide escape without letting any air sneak in. It means you get to enjoy a top-notch coffee experience every single time. No stale flavors or weird smells here. Just pure, delicious coffee goodness.

Designed to return to the earth at the end of its life cycle, the Aromabox encourages consumers to reuse the packaging. In ideal conditions, Bamboo-O breaks down within approximately six months. However, in a dry environment, it can last up to five years. The Aromabox is fully dishwasher safe and rated to withstand temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius, making it versatile for various purposes.

The Aromabox is not just your average packaging—it’s packaging with a mission. It wants to go back to where it came from the earth. When it’s done serving its coffee storage duties, it’s all about reusability. They encourage you to give it a second life by reusing it as an aesthetic pot for plants. In ideal condition, this Bamboo-O breaks down in around six months if composted. However, even in a dry environment, it can last up to five years! Talk about durability.

Earthmade’s branding and color palette reflect the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Earthy tones and organic tactility are carefully chosen, representing the natural environment and the circular lifecycle of the Aromabox and its contents. This attention to detail ensures that every aspect of the packaging aligns with Earthmade’s vision for a more sustainable future.

The Earthmade Aromabox sets a new benchmark for sustainable packaging in the coffee industry. Its home-compostable, eco-friendly design addresses the environmental challenges associated with conventional packaging. Through innovative materials, functional features, and a commitment to reusability, Earthmade, and Beta have created a packaging solution that not only preserves the freshness and flavor of coffee but also fosters a deeper connection between consumers

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Sustainable packaging made from wool can protect your products

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As someone who does a lot of online commerce, non-sustainable packaging is one of the things that causes pain on both sides. Consumers would want their packages secure but also not have so much plastic packaging used. Sellers want to bring the best protection for the items to be delivered but are sometimes required to use plastic, particularly bubble wrap. If there were more sustainable but protective options out there, it would be a much better place for e-commerce and the world in general.

Designer: Woola

A startup from Estonia has come up with an alternative to bubble wrap which is sustainable and also saves a material that usually goes to waste. According to their research, 90% of the European sheep wool remains unused since it is too coarse to be used for yarn. Despite its coarseness, it is still useful for things other than what the textile industry currently needs. They were able to pair this waste wool with paper and create protective packaging that doesn’t use plastic.

They created some alternatives to the usual product packaging that we use to protect items. For example, the wool-padded mail envelopes can be used for documents, mailers, and other small items that can fit into these envelopes that need to be secured. They also created protective sleeves for glass bottles like for wine, water, and other bottled items that need a bit of cushioning. The top part is exposed though so we can’t say it’s fully protected.

The most crucial item they were able to create from this discarded wool is the Bubble Wool, an alternative to the ever-present but oh-so-unsustainable bubble wrap. They say that this will be able to protect items from being scratched and from breaking as effectively as the normal bubble wrap does. It comes in 100 cm x 130 cm sheets and is also water-repellant. More importantly, it is reusable and biodegradable so you really get sustainable protective packaging.

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This reusable alternative to single-use packaging foresees a green future for the e-commerce sector

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What do you do with the packaging material your favorite dress has just arrived in from Amazon? Once you have received the online order, the packaging material is thrown in the trash, right? It’s a story with each one of us, especially because most of the packaging is not designed with reuse or sustainability in mind. This is why the idea of creating home delivery packaging reusable sticks with us more keenly than anything else.

Ecommerce portals have grown exponentially over the last two years, during the pandemic, because they provide consumers unparalleled options and accessibility. With the increase in online shopping, the pileup of shipping cartons and plastic packaging material is also piling up in landfills. In such a scenario, if we watch closely, packaging has a single purpose – to deliver the item safely to the consumer – and when this purpose is over, packaging has no further usage and landfill is the ultimate destination.

Designer: Simon Chantrel

Considering over 100 billion deliveries happen each year, it’s a huge pile of packaging waste that we are discussing here. Through the INFLATE – a flexible and reusable delivery package – designer Simon Chantrel presents a very viable solution to this problem. The alternative to single-purpose packaging, INFLATE is made to be reused a number of times so it doesn’t have to retire after its single journey from an eCommerce store’s warehouse to your doorstep. It can, in fact, be returned and reused for another delivery… and then another… and another!

INFLATE we presume is made from recyclable canvas or polyethylene because of its tarpaulin-like material. The renders also depict, the packaging material is flexible and it can be inflated to the size of the item it’s going to carry. The inflatable packaging can adapt to its content and once delivered, it can be deflated and rolled back. The INFLATE can then be dropped at an external collection point or a deposit location so it can be reused to limit packaging waste accumulated because of deliveries in traditional packaging.

INFLATE intends to bypass the linear economy, where packaging material is used once in the delivery process and then disposed of. It takes delivery services toward a circular packaging economy where resources are reusable and can reduce the packaging waste to ultimately make the e-commerce sector greener.

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This eco-friendly packaging design for premium Chinese tea draws inspiration from the plantations!

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Packaging designs that pay homage to what’s inside or the process or creating it truly tug at our heartstrings. Especially, eco-friendly packaging designs because they showcase the best of innovation and sustainability. Chatu is a shining example of all of that – the packaging is an ode to the tea plantations in Sichuan, Henan, and Fujian provinces from where the premium Chinese tea is collected. Each tea package has a unique shape that represents the terrain and resembles the patterns on the hands of tea pickers.

The Chinese tea plantations were the source of inspiration for the packaging design. The texture of the package mimics the shape of the land on which the tea is harvested which is so sacred to the tea pickers. Even the colors were carefully chosen to match each of the three types of tea – white, green, and red.

The packaging is made by molding pulp and then colored with natural dyes. The shape resembles traditional Chinese teapots while the texture is a reminder of the plantations. The loose-leaf tea leaves are packed in two-layer cotton bags because it is breathable and environmentally friendly.

Each package also comes with a note that gives you more information about the province and the type of tea – it educates you about the flavor and the agricultural features of the plantation that make it special. It also tells you how the tea should be brewed for the optimum experience. Chatu is minimal but yet so powerful in communicating about the product, the process of making it, the art of brewing it, its origins, and more in the most simple yet elegant form.

Designer: Xenia Alexandrova

This sustainable packaging design is made from discarded pineapple leaves that grow into a new plant!

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Single-use plastic is one of the biggest contributors to ocean pollution – it makes up for more than 50% of the plastic waste problem. I am constantly looking for innovative packaging designs that can inspire the design community to continue building on sustainable solutions and I am adding Sprout to that list! It is an environmentally-friendly packaging that aims to contribute to the growth of local plants. I also love that the design is interactive – you can learn about the seeds and plant them instead of discarding the packaging!

Sprout’s plantable feature ensures that its life does not end right after consumption; its purpose continuously changes before, during, and after use – it’s where circular economy meets sustainable design. Each seed was selected after intense research to pick those that are non-invasive and would be seamlessly embedded in the Pinyapel material. Pinyapel is a specialty paper made of discarded pineapple leaves and was the result of an initiative led by the Design Center of the Philippines to give local communities and resources a boost. Mangulabnan ensures proper composting and planting is possible by using organic soy ink for the printing as well as an edible starch wrapper to further protect the food item inside the package.

This also addressed the issue of agricultural waste accumulating in the country, especially since the Philippines is one of the largest producers of pineapple fruit in the world. Sprout’s design will help eliminate unnecessary waste and encourage locals to actively contribute to the preservation of the diverse Philippine flora. Through the use of design, consumers can interact better with the product, giving them a sense of fulfillment and responsibility, as well as reinforce a positive behavioral change to further avoid littering and other harmful habits that

Designer: Pat Mangulabnan

Product Packaging designs so innovative, they make it impossible to say a no to the products!

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In today’s consumer-centric world, packaging designs hold a very important place! A unique and attractive packaging design is what captures the interest and attention of your consumer. It pulls the consumer towards the product and even drives them to purchase it. Hence, allocating time, effort, and energy to create an appealing packaging design is extremely crucial, and designers are leaving no tables unturned in doing this. The result is – innovative, interesting, and attention-grabbing packaging designs that are hard to miss, and we’ve collected a few for you to admire!

An academic project gave birth to Coolpaste – the eco-friendly alter ego of our trusty old toothpaste. The aim was to develop a sustainable packaging design for toothpaste in a way that didn’t affect their durability while being transported or stacked on shelves. For the purpose of the project, Colgate toothpaste was used as the object of study. Coolpaste not only got a physical makeover that was better for the environment, but the graphic elements of the product were also refreshed to reflect the goal of the project. The paper box was eliminated after an in-depth point-of-sale study without affecting the integrity of the toothpaste.

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We’re always in the mooooood for a good packaging design and this one is udderly the best! Quite simply, it’s shaped like a cow’s udder which is not only freakin’ cute but ergonomic. Four little teats give it a little stability and something to hold on to when you’re pouring a cold glass of milk! Available in different cute shades, I honestly wouldn’t mind a glass of milk every morning, if I get to see this cow-inspired carton every day!

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This series of distinctive forms have been created through the repetitive combination of the same six-pointed shape; by rearranging the shape in different configurations and patterns, a wide range of shapes and forms can be created! The hugely flexible, sponge-like form can be used to hold objects ranging from fruit and vegetables to protect them from drops, through to pens and pencils when it is configured into a striking pencil case!

The Srisangdao rice grows in Thailand in a controlled environment and every year only a limited quality is produced. Because of how special the rice is, the environment where it grows and how it is stored is given the utmost care making sure there are no chemicals hampering the quality. To showcase Thung Kula Ronghai’s efforts of growing this gorgeous grain, a designer reimagined the packaging as a tribute to the process with a purpose that went beyond preserving rice. The packaging is created using chaffs, a natural waste product from husking, which very literally incorporates the process which the designers wanted to celebrate through this product. The box has simple yet meaningful art surrounding the Srisangdao rice – it is die-formed with an oversized rice grain embossed on it which is the main artistic element.

Made from seaweed and vegetable extracts, these low-cal wrappers can be used as edible packaging for snacks and dissolvable pouches that add extra nutritional value to your food like vitamins, minerals as well as polysaccharides that support your gut health. The seaweed extract is then dehydrated and the prototypes are examined in different temperature settings as well as tested for waterproof properties

Referred to as the Hutchinson bottle (designed way back in 1894), the straight-sided bottle with a bulbous neck is now being reissued as the packaging for Coca-Cola’s series of mixers. The bottle design possesses an aesthetic that complements its bar-friendly category, making it the perfect choice. Available in four distinct flavor profiles, Woody, Spicy, Herbal, and Smoky, and designed to be used with dark spirits like whisky and dark rum, the bottles come with a white label and a taped cap, quite a deviation from the soft-drink’s otherwise red-heavy design, but more of a hat-tip to the drink’s association with mixology.

‘Trebodur’ is an organic material made entirely from brewers’ spent grain! Brewers’ spent grains are the residues that accumulate from barley malt during the process of lautering while making beer. So what binds the material to give it strength? The contained proteins in the spent grains act as a natural binder, now that’s a self-sufficient material! Creators Niko and Tillmann did extensive research and several experiments with natural fibers and binders. Being 100% biodegradable, Trebodur is a perfect choice for creating products that are used and thrown at large events or even in PR packages. It can be used for all kinds of packaging products and become a substitute material for paper and plastic packaging.

 

 

 

Rice is what home would feel like on a plate and that is what Backbone Branding conveyed with their reimagined packaging design. The goal was to evoke an emotional response for the rice farmers while also being functional as a product that is to be sold in health stores. The new design was minimal, familiar, and reminded us of the humans behind harvesting rice. With these elements at the core, the new packaging used minimal black graphic lines to show the different emotions one feels during the process – the faces radiate confidence, pride, satisfaction, empathy, and even tiredness.

This old Amsterdam cheese cover brie-longs with your cheese because it understands the matters of the heart. No, it literally does – this cover is built in a way that showcases the heart of your cheese and also protects it. The conceptual cheese cover is appropriately named ‘El Corazon’ which translates into ‘the heart’. The center of the old Amsterdam cheese is usually served as tapas or aperitif and therefore deserves to be displayed like the showstopper of the snack bar that it is. The case also prolongs the cheese’s life in the refrigerator while turning into a functional showcase when needed.

Lurtcevich took an ordinary rectangular box, the usual kind in which spaghetti is normally sold. However, she created six smart partitions using a single sheet of paper. The bright red pasta-filled box comes with six trapezoidal sections heaped with spaghetti, one section equates to one portion of spaghetti. So, Lurtcevich’s packaging holds six servings of pasta, enough for an intimate get-together you might have at your home! The opening of each measured section is outlined with perforations, three on the front and another three on the back of the box. Open the packaging along the perforated lines, by slowly pulling it towards you. Fish out the portion of spaghetti you need and get cooking!

Bubble tea lovers finally get a reusable straw that opens up for easy cleaning!

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If you are someone using plastic straws in 2020, you need to look up photos of baby turtles and imagine how they feel with plastic in their stomach. Scientists estimate 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the coastlines around the world. So our plastic pollution problem is pretty huge and to be specific how huge, the Great Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean is twice the size of Texas. Let’s start making a difference by decreasing single-use plastic usage – one of them being straws!

One bubble straw is designed using 100% recyclable material and is specially created for being bubble-tea friendly. I haven’t seen a paper or metal straw that is wide enough for bubble tea which makes it harder for that demographic to make the switch but not anymore. This straw by Green One has 1.3 cm diameter and measures 21 cm length. What makes it stand apart is that you can actually open it up to clean it and you don’t require any brushes! The design team wanted to create an alternative to the existing eco-friendly straws which was easier to use not only in terms of cleaning but also in piercing the drink – paper straws are too soft and metal straws are too hard. The straw is also super lightweight and wide enough to slurp up the bubble tea pearls which most existing reusable straws don’t accommodate for.

If you don’t want to rinse it by hand, you can simply put it in the dishwasher for cleaning. One bubble straw is made from 100% recyclable food-safe TPE which can be further recycled whenever you are done with it. This is the first step to decrease your single-use plastic consumption tremendously. It is eco-friendly, non-toxic, anti-dust, tasteless, and safe for use in hot and cold drinks. Green One is an HK based company dedicated to developing sustainable products and it shows in the straws packaging as well – it is made from eco-friendly paper with soy ink! Apart from creating alternatives, the brand is also organizing a ‘One Straws’ recycling program where the public can bring their used reusable straws to be cleaned before they are sent to recycling factories in order to educate people and help them reduce waste.

Designer: Green One HK

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This award-winning paper packaging will reduce the beauty industry’s plastic waste

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The Dieline Awards 2020 had some of the most amazing innovative entries but Pearl caught my attention for two main reasons – it was the plastic-free innovation winner of the year and it looked straight out of the little mermaid’s treasure box! Pearl is a paper pod packing solution by BillerudKorsnas and Syntegon who wanted to create a more sustainable fiber-based alternative with a premium aesthetic while also focusing on the portions to reduce waste.

Portion packaging is common in many industries but most widely used in the beauty industry, notorious for their waste generation, for the sample product packaging. Brands usually resort to plastic because it can easily be molded and designed to fit their image and unique experiences and because paper packaging hasn’t been accepted as ‘pretty’ just yet – Pearl is here to change that outlook. The designers combined their work on two previous projects that also revolved around replacing plastic packaging with sustainable alternatives. “Inspired by life and shapes of the sea, we then conceptualized the project named Pearl. What makes it special are the 3D-properties enabled by the FibreForm paper and manufacturing technology. Resulting in unique tactile experiences and embossed shapes of the paper shell, driving new business opportunities,” said the design team.

This paper pod aims to replace the plastic for product samples, inserts, refills, portion packs, and disposable packaging for sustainable brand owners that match their high business goals with high environmental ambitions. Pearl is a natural packaging alternative that fits within the aesthetics of the beauty industry while also reducing its negative impact on the environment. Designs like Pearl are important to showcase the malleability of eco-friendly materials to that they can be more widely accepted while still being “on brand” and I might argue that being eco-conscious in 2020 should be “on-brand” for everyone.

Designers: BillerudKorsnas and Syntegon