Posts Tagged ‘sustainable packaging’
Monday, April 4th, 2011
Sustainable packaging is now getting a voice on issues related to green packaging. Big companies have joined forces to help make the packaging industry more eco-friendly. ConAgra, Colgate-Palmolive, DuPont, Kellogg, and Proctor & Gamble are among the companies that have formed AMERIPEN, The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment. This organization plans to lobby for science-driven packaging policies and reach out to others to find ways to work together. The key issues are to find ways to improve sustainability of packaging and how to reduce waste.
AMERIPEN is trying to enhance sustainability initiatives and help save the environment by producing eco-friendly packaging. The efforts in finding ways to reduce waste and minimizing the impact on the environment are the two of the main reasons this organization was formed. They also hope to play the role of influencing opinion leaders to further improve the packaging industry’s value chain. The packaging value chain is rapidly changing as eco-friendly and sustainable trends are among us. As we become a society trying to find ways to save our environment, AMERIPEN is here to do their part, within the packaging industry.
Tags:AMERIPEN, Eco-Friendly, environment, green, green packaging, packaging, packaging industry, reduce waste, sustainability, sustainable, sustainable packaging
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Monday, December 27th, 2010
Disney has cut packaging waste by 80% for its 12 inch Winnie the Pooh Plush. In designing this new package, Disney’s goal was to create less waste, cut costs, and reduce carbon emissions. The packaging is designed to use less material by taking Pooh out of the open box and sit him in a saddle instead. The saddle allows for Pooh to maintain the sitting position on shelves. The branding information is moved from the original packaging design and is placed on a small paper label that attaches to Pooh’s hand. This new label reduces the amount of ink used in this new package. The use of the new packaging has saved 8 metric tons of cardboard and translates into nearly 10 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided.
Tags:Eco-Friendly, green packaging, greenshouse emissions, packaging, sustainable packaging
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Monday, December 20th, 2010
Companies are jumping on the green packaging bandwagon and are focusing on eco-friendly options. Green packaging is a win-win situation for these companies because it’s environmentally friendly and it provides cost savings by tossing out wasteful and outdated materials and techniques. Going green is about trying new things to help save the environment and that is exactly what companies are doing. They are experimenting and finding ways to reduce waste and harm on the environment by producing more sustainable packaging.
Walmart has been a leader in searching for greener packaging alternatives. Last year they pledged to eliminate all waste at its stores in 2025 by reducing, reusing, or recycling all materials.
Dell has been taking efforts to provide more eco-friendly packaging by trying out packaging materials made from bamboo. Bamboo replenishes itself quickly, making it a great resource for packaging.
Amazon has been thinking of ways to rethink traditional packaging. Colorful packaging was originally used for display boxes, with the intention to maximize the visual appeal, which is not necessary for online shopping. So Amazon started offering “frustration free packaging”, a program aimed at reducing shipping waste and difficult to open packaging. They work directly with manufacturers to ship products in hassle free boxes.
Other companies such as FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service offer shipping boxes made from recycled materials.
Companies are becoming more environmentally friendly when it comes to packaging and have taken different approaches to doing so. The world is full with ways to reduce waste and produce greener packaging.
Tags:Amazon, Dell, Eco-Friendly, eco-friendly packaging, environmentally-friendly, FedEx, green packaging, packaging, sustainable packaging, Walmart
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Monday, December 13th, 2010
Many companies are taking unique and innovative approaches to reducing the usage of plastics in their packaging. As strange as it may sound these companies have found ways to use potatoes, milk, mushrooms, and sugar cane to make their packaging more environmentally friendly.
PepsiCo’s UK brand of potato chips, Walkers, is innovating their packaging by looking for ways to use starch from unused potato peels. Starch is very sticky and when made into a large mass can become stabilized into layers. These bags will be naturally compostable and plan to hit store shelves in the U.K. in the next 18 to 24 months.
Ecovative Design has created a new packaging material that is made out of mushrooms. This new design is called Mycobond, and is heat and fire resistant. It has the ability to absorb energy and can biodegrade even in conditions that are lacking oxygen. The hope is for this material to replace petroleum based foam that is currently being used.
Got milk? Well just ask clay. Milk and clay have partnered together to be used as an alternative to Styrofoam. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have designed a way to use clay and milk protein and make an eco-friendly packaging material. This process started by taking the cow milk protein called casein and strengthening it with some clay. The material is said to be strong enough for commercial use and a third of it biodegrades over time.
Proctor and Gamble have taken a “sweeter” approach to sustainable packaging by using sugarcane in their packaging of select Covergirl, Pantene Pro-V, and Max Factor products. The Polyethylene from sugarcane will be used in the plastic of those select products, making them easily recyclable.
Tags:compostable, Eco-Friendly, mycobond, packaging, packaging material, recyclable, sustainable, sustainable packaging
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Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Have you even bought a watch and wondered why the packaging is so much bigger than the watch itself? Nooka, maker of sci-fi inspired watches, has recognized this problem and are taking a creative and eco-friendly approach to solving it. In an effort to produce sustainable packaging, they have decided to collaborate with SiliconeZone, maker of silicone based kitchenware.
The outcome? Packaging that is similar to that of Tupperware. This holiday season, Nooka’s watches will be shipped in boxes that are made out of cooking-grade silicone. These boxes are durable, reusable, and even microwave safe. So instead of throwing away the box after opening, it can be recycled and used to store pasta, soup, and anything else you can think of. Nooka will also eventually post recipes on its website that can be stored or made in their new packaging.
Although it is a little strange to think that it is possible to eat out of a box that a watch used to be packaged in, the idea is actually a part of how Nooka wants to operate its business. They believe in constant advances in technology and originality in design. Having an “anything is possible” mindset allows Nooka to be able to create possibilities that are sustainable and futuristic. They pride themselves in taking everyday objects and taking an alternative approach to making it better. The creation of an eco-friendly and reusable package is just the beginning for Nooka and it will be interesting to see what they think of next.
Tags:nooka, reusable packaging, silicone, sustainable packaging, tupperware, watch
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Monday, October 18th, 2010
Stonyfield Farm has announced its switch from petroleum-based plastic to plant-based (PLA) plastic in their packaging. The PLA plastic packaging is derived from corn and is the first plant-based container in the yogurt industry. After researching the life cycle of their packaging, Stonyfield Farm concluded that PLA is a better option than petroleum-based plastic in terms of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable packaging has been a huge push in the last few years with Wal-Mart leading the charge. By downsizing packaging, Wal-Mart hopes to cut down on consumer waste and reduce its global packaging 5% by 2013.
Stonyfield yogurt packs are not compostable or recyclable yet because there is only one facility in the US that recycles PLA. Stonyfield hopes to help change that by having other companies follow their transition into plant-based PLA plastics.
PLA packaging has also been in the news lately as Sun Chips changed their snack bags to PLA before changing them back due to consumer complaints of the bags being too noisy. You can read more on that here.
Stonyfield Farm has posted a video that explains more about their switch to PLA plastic packaging.
Tags:diary, Eco-Friendly, PLA, plastic, Stonyfield Farm, sustainable packaging, yogurt
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
Frito-Lay’s introduction of its 100% compostable packaging for SunChips has left consumers annoyed. This new bag was launched in April 2009 and although the new bag is made from biodegradable plant material and breaks down in the environment , the bag is too noisy. The bag has an unusual molecular structure that resulted in consumers comparing the noise levels to lawnmowers and jet engines. A Facebook group called “Sorry but I can’t hear you over this SunChips Bag”, has also contributed to the outcry. Consumer complaints and a decline in sales are the reasons SunChips are returning to its old, nondegradable packing for five of the six flavors. The noisy packaging will remain for its original flavor. This little “crunch” in eco-friendly packaging will not stop Frito-Lay from finding other packaging solutions. They will still continue search in finding sustainable packaging options.
Tags:Eco-Friendly, green packaging, packaging, SunChips, sustainable packaging
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Monday, October 11th, 2010
KFC, famous for its red and white buckets full of chicken, plans to replace its old Styrofoam side dish containers with a reusable eco-friendly version to cut down on packaging waste. This has been influenced by a watch dog group called Dogwood Alliance Team, which has criticized KFC for using its buckets that contribute to the destruction of southern U.S. forests.
These new containers are 100% propylene that are used for side orders such as coleslaw and mashed potatoes. They are actually dishwasher and microwave safe, meaning customers can actually reuse them! They also require 25% less energy to produce than the old containers and generate fewer greenhouse gases.
KFC’s goal is to eliminate the use of foam from all of its restaurants. The implementation of their new philosophy “reuse, renew, rejoice” will help meet these goals along with looking for other ways to cut its carbon footprint.
Tags:chicken, Eco-Friendly, KFC, reusable, sustainable packaging
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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Waco-based Whole Tree has been researching uses for coconut husks for wo years, and recently partnered with packaging firm Compadre to design and test different uses for coconut-based materials. In addition to creating packaging from the husks, the companies are also working to improve the lives of coconut farmers by providing more income for farmers by using the husks.
The company has developed a nonwoven process for combining coconut fiber with thermoplastic to create a strong, durable material that can be formed for packaging.
The packaging is primarily used for packaging that goes inside boxes, such as packaged electronics. They are still exploring possibilities for outer packaging.
Tags:coconut, coconut husks, coconut packaging, eco-friendly packaging, reusable packaging, sustainable packaging
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Friday, September 17th, 2010
Most sectors of packaging have been taking a hit during these tough economic times, but not sustainable packaging. Sustainable packaging has experienced positive growth over the past two years and it’s not expected to slow down. According to “Sustainable (Green) Packaging: A Global Strategic Business Report”, the green packaging market should to be worth $142 billion by 2015.
What sectors of packaging are the key developers of sustainable packaging? Cosmetics and personal care, food and beverage, shipping, and healthcare packaging have all embraced green packaging to a large degree.
There are key driving forces that account for the growth of sustainable packaging. Growing concerns of the environment around the globe is number one. Also, stricter government regulations are making it mandatory for companies to adhere to sustainable practices and production. Other drivers include increased awareness about recycling of packaging wastes and companies cutting costs by using recycled and reusable materials in manufacturing.
The United States and Europe currently cover more than 70 percent of the global green packaging market. Recycled material is the most important packaging category in the US, accounting for 90 percent of the total demand.
The fastest growing region for green packaging is expected to be Asia-Pacific with 10 percent annual growth over the next 5 years. The fastest growing segment of the packaging industry are biodegradables with the highest demand coming from bioplastics.
Tags:biodegradable, bioplastics, cosmetics, healthcare, recycle, reuse, sustainable packaging
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