Posts Tagged ‘green packaging’
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Phillips has been receiving a lot of awards lately especially in packaging design. It’s not surprising if you look at the Activa Fitness Monitor.
The packaging for the product is a perfect example of Re-purposed Packaging. A lot of re-purposing is clever but the Activa packaging is really an extension of the product itself. The monitor is tucked inside a clear water bottle which showcases the product and later, acts as your additional fitness companion. As the sustainable packaging market keeps rising due to environmental concerns, look for companies to employ the same type of green packaging tactics like re-purposing.
The Activa Fitness Monitor itself? It’s a very cool versatile product. You can load up mp3 files while letting the monitor know what exercise you’re doing and it will play your music according to your activity and workout pace- approximating your heart rate. You can clip it to your waist or wear it as a wrist watch or arm band, the Activa keeps track of your workout performance and gives you vocal feedback about it. After your workout, the Activa gives you your performance results that you can easily track on your PC.
While packaging is thought to be wasteful by some consumers, re-purposed packaging like this alleviates those concerns because it’s not going to tossed in the trash as soon as the product is opened.
Tags:electronics, fitness, green packaging, Phillips, re-purpose, sustainable packaging, water bottle, workout
Posted in Eco-Friendly | No Comments »
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Unilever, a founding member of the SPC (Sustainable Packaging Coalition), has released its Sustainable Paper and Board Packaging Sourcing Policy that outlines their paper sourcing goals over the next decade. Packaging News reported that currently, 62% of Unilever’s paper and board is sustainably sourced. The company set a target to source 75% of its paper and board from sustainably managed forests by 2015, reaching 100% by 2020. This initiative is part of the company’s commitment to help combat deforestation and climate change. Unilever says they’re the first global FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) company to commit to sustainable sourcing within a defined timeframe.
Sourcing preferences will be awarded to supplies delivered through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) although Unilever will also accept paper and board from other sources adhering to their policy’s implementation guidelines. The policy also requires all suppliers to have mechanisms in place to ensure that the paper packaging is made from recycled fiber or from virgin fiber sources and that virgin fiber comes from forests that are not being converted to plantations or non-forest use.
Unilever will also add certification logos to its product packaging for environmentally conscious consumers who want to be able to identify them.
More info:
Unilever Packaging Sustainability
Tags:deforestation, eco-frendly, environment, forest management, FSC, green packaging, paper, SPC, sustainable, unilever
Posted in Eco-Friendly | No Comments »
Monday, April 12th, 2010
Yes, we’re somewhere in the midst of the worst economic downturn in history. For obvious reasons, consumers have taken more interest in searching for value in the products that they purchase. Because of this, price is playing a major role in the buying decisions for more consumers than in a stable economic environment.
Despite the weakness in the economy, sustainable packaging is growing and the green consumer is not going away! Recent statistics show that only 11% of consumers have heard the phrase sustainable packaging. Of those 11%, half of them thought sustainable packaging meant durable packaging. However, when we analyze consumer trends, we find that these statistics will not hold true for very long. In fact, they were probably outdated as soon as they were published.
Consumers are becoming more educated on sustainability and its role in packaging. While still looking at price, consumers are increasingly interested in their personal impact on the environment and are demanding more from manufacturers. Many consumers believe that products have too much packaging. Because of this manufacturers are downsizing and lightening the protective covering that goes around their products. Those manufacturers are seeing benefits from these efforts by realizing material savings and increased demand from green consumers.
Most observers don’t expect any changes in the growth of sustainable packaging, no matter what the state of the economy is. If we’re seeing growth through these difficult times, the importance of sustainability to the consumer is fairly obvious. What might change is the demand for more clarity around the messaging. As consumers are becoming more educated, they’re going to be looking closely at what is really sustainable. We might expect to see more discussion about codes, standards, and oversights. Consumers are going to hold manufacturers more accountable for making sure that they’re staying true to their message.
More info:
Packaging Digest
Tags:consumer trends, economy, green consumer, green packaging, manufacturing, packaging trends, recession, sustainability, sustainable packaging
Posted in Eco-Friendly, Packaging Design | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
Polypropylene is a plastic used in a wide range of products like food containers, water bottles, furniture, and car bumpers. It’s also used as a strong, durable packaging solution that gives products a very distinct look.
Currently, it’s the second most widely used thermoplastic with a global consumption of 44 million metric tons in 2008. The market has been growing increasingly and is estimated to be $66 billion. Growth is based on projections that consumers and recycling regulations will drive demand for environmentally-friendly packaging.
While polypropylene is primarily derived from oil, a recent research partnership will be developing a large scale production of polypropylene from sugarcane. While oil is limited and expensive, this green initiative is great news and could mean a big change for the plastics industry. Initial development will run for at least 5 years. The plastic is to be identical to traditional polypropylene except that it is made from sugarcane. Customers will be able to switch to the bio-resin without changing their production machinery or processes.
So who’s partnering up? Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in Latin America, and Novozymes, the world’s leading producer of industrial enzymes. Both companies have a strong devotion to a bio-based economy.
Braskem was the first company in the world to produce a 100% certified green polypropylene on an experimental basis. They’re currently building a green polyethylene plant in Brazil with ethanol and sugarcane as the raw material. The plant will produce 200,000 tons per year.
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. They use biotechnology to improve the use of resources in more than 30 industries around the world; the biofuel industry is one of them. Currently, they’re producing enzymes to turn agricultural waste into advanced biofuels.
Tags:bio-fuels, Eco-Friendly, green packaging, innovation, oil, packaging, plastic, polypropylene, sugar, Sunrise Packaging
Posted in Eco-Friendly | No Comments »
Friday, November 6th, 2009
A plastic bag lasts forever – or at least it seems like it – a normal plastic bag is estimated to take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade, if ever at all. Who has time for that? Without an alternative, people throw away nearly 100 billion plastic bags, or 3 billion pounds of plastic each year. That is a lot of unnecessary waste; so what’s the solution?
Green Genius, a new biodegradable trash bag is as strong as regular trash bags, but it’s also environmentally friendly. Green Genius LLC was founded in 2009 to develop innovative green solutions to promote a cleaner environment, with less plastic. The Green Genius trash bag uses EcoPure, an organic additive that causes plastic to biodegrade.
The Green Genius offers an eco-friendly option for people everywhere.
Tags:biodegradable, Eco-Friendly, EcoPure, environmentally-friendly, garbage bag, Green Genius, green packaging, green solutions, packaging, plastic bag, sustainability, trash, waste
Posted in Eco-Friendly | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
We all know slimmer packaging equals less packaging waste and an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. But did you know that efficient packaging can also save money?
Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer saved $3.5 million in transportation costs last holiday season because of efficent packaging for toys. The company used slimmer packaging by reducing one-inch in the cardboard for individual toys going from Asian countries to the United States. The reduction resulted in 727 fewer ocean containers, which also saved 1,300 barrels of oil.
What can we learn from Wal-Mart’s packaging solutions? As we take a step in improving our environment through packaging, we can also recognize other benefits. You can follow Wal-Mart’s lead with your own sustainable packaging. There are many solutions to save money with efficient packaging apart from size. Packaging materials can be reused for other packaging needs or used for creative innovations. Instead of buying more packaging, save your money and use what you have.
For more ideas and tips about efficient packaging visit Sunrise Packaging’s green center!
Tags:Add new tag, creative packaging, efficient packaging, green packaging, recycled materials, Wal-Mart
Posted in Custom Packaging Products | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 23rd, 2009
Packaging can create value for consumers. Yes, the box a product comes in is designed to keep the product clean and prevent it from getting broken during transportation from where the product is made to the place it is finally removed from its packaging.
However, a box can do so much more:
- It can be designed to enhance the consumer’s first experience of the product. (Like wrapping presents in pretty paper during the Holidays)
- The packaging can (and should) show off the product and demonstrate how it benefits the consumer.
- The packaging can be designed to be used over again after the product has been removed either for the product itself or for another use.
- The material that makes the box can do something special like be impregnated with flower or grass seeds so that it beautifies the environment after disposal.
Take the new “green” pizza box company that launched in October. ECO Inc., a maker of environmentally friendly and multifunctional packaging, introduced its product Greenbox. The Greenbox is a pizza box made from 100 percent recycled material that also breaks down into serving plates and a storage container for leftover pizza.
The Greenbox promotes less waste and reusable packaging material, while serving as a convenient product for consumers.
Like the Greenbox, when a new product comes to market, the packaging it comes in will influence its success. A great product in a plain brown paper bag will be overlooked every time.
Be sure to work with a packaging company that can help you create custom packaging that stands out, makes consumers feel good about their purchases when they open the box, and is environmentally friendly or reusable. Check out our green packaging options at Sunrise Packaging.
Tags:creative packaging, custom packaging, ECO Inc, environmentally-friendly, green packaging, green pizza box, recycled materials
Posted in Custom Packaging Products, Eco-Friendly | No Comments »
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Tags:biodegradable, creative packaging, custom packaging, durability, durable, Eco-Friendly, environmentally-friendly, green packaging, low-cost, opinions, packaging, polls, recyclable, recycled, recycling, unique
Posted in Poll | No Comments »
Friday, October 16th, 2009
With the growing concern for sustainable packaging, Greener Package decided to recognize the green efforts of companies moving in the right direction with environmentally-friendly innovations. The winners come from a range of different industries, including food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and household care. Here is the list they came up with:
Greener Package Award
Retail Leadership Award
Clean Manufacturing Award
All of these companies are setting the mark for their competition. If they want to stay in the game, they must follow suit with their green efforts, or go above and beyond, because eco-friendly packaging is here to stay.
Tags:Aveda, biodegradable, ConAgra, Eco-Friendly, environmentally-conscious, environmentally-friendly, Estee Lauder, green packaging, recyclable packaging, recycle, recycled materials, recycling, reduce, reuse, SunChips bag, sustainable packaging, Unisource Worldwide
Posted in Eco-Friendly | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
If you’re like most people, you keep hearing about companies going green to both please customers and help the environment. It can be overwhelming to try to manage your company’s green efforts if you don’t have much experience, but even small steps towards becoming more environmentally-friendly can help. That is why it is important to set goals for yourself and your company that you can achieve.
I found some tips and goals to benchmark your environmental progress from the marketing magazine, Deliver, that can help your company in its start to become more eco-friendly:
Paper Procurement & Use
- Increase wood/paper purchases from recognized forest certification programs (by X percent by X year).
- Indicate use of suppliers affiliated with sustainable forestry practices that protect forest ecosystems and biodiversity as well as provide the wood and paper products our company needs.
- Increase purchase of environmentally preferable paper used for marketing pieces, product packaging, and/or internal consumption (by X percent by X year).
List Hygiene & Data Management
- Reduce unwanted and duplicate mailings and provide greater choice regarding opt out and/or subject matter of mailings to customers (by X year).
Mail Design & Production
- Reduce waste allowances and in-process waste when designing and printing (by X percent by X year).
- Calculate total waste reduction occurred through a lowering of waste allowances.
Packaging
- Increase purchases of environmentally preferable packaging (by X percent by X year).
- Use recyclable packaging in (X percent/the majority of/all) shipments, imprinted with recycling information for customers (by X year).
Recycling & Pollution Reduction
- Increase purchases of office papers, packing and packaging materials made from recycled materials with post-consumer content wherever feasible (by X percent by X year).
- Use (X percent) post-consumer content recycled materials in all production (by X year).
- Collect and recycle (X percent) of all discarded office paper (by X year).
- Calculate your organization’s total carbon footprint (incorporating suppliers and customer as well as internal operations).
- Reduce unnecessary/excess paper use for external and internal communications (by X percent by X year).
Tags:carbon footprint, Eco-Friendly, environmentally-conscious, environmentally-friendly, forest certified paper, Going Green, green packaging, post-consumer content, recycled, recycled materials, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainable packaging
Posted in Eco-Friendly | 1 Comment »
