Brand marketers and package designers alike seem to be looking for that "silver bullet" when they can say, "Aha! Now we're sustainable!"
The truth is, developing packaging that protects both the environment and the Earth's resources for future generations—and, by the way, also provides marketing impact—is a continually evolutionary process. It's easiest and perhaps most effective when done incrementally.
In this issue, Shelf Impact!, working with the editors of Packaging World magazine, gives you ideas for moving toward sustainability with a host of new packages that are lighter and routinely include recycled content. We also feature others that have broken into new areas with truly innovative designs utilizing new and old materials in groundbreaking ways.
Method goes to PCR
San Francisco, CA-based Method Products has converted three of its U.S. product lines (nine SKUs) to 100% post-consumer-recycled (PCR) polyethylene terephthalate bottles, shedding the 100% virgin PET resin it had been using for these bottles. By converting to 100% PCR on its 28-oz bottles, Method has reduced the carbon footprint 60%.
"Because we had been successful with 100% PCR bottles in the U.K., we wanted to explore what could be done in the U.S.," explains Jason Crouch, Method's Director of Procurement. Working with Amcor PET Packaging, Method found a suitable supply source and overcame various material, production, and performance challenges. Read the entire article.
'Green' office products, at no extra charge
OfficeMax Inc.'s office supply superstores have introduced a new line of "green" office products, such as binders, pencil cases, trash cans, and cleaners sold from integrated, end-of-aisle product displays. TerraCycle manufactures and packages products from waste and reduces the amount of garbage sent to landfills by reducing some of the country's largest waste streams. Packaging is important in the introductions. For example, the cleaning-product line includes Natural All-Purpose, Natural Window, and Natural Degreaser products filled in off-spec soda bottles. The trash cans and recycling bins are made from 100% recycled plastic, and binders are made from 100% recycled corrugated covers—derived from cartons—and 90% recycled steel rings.
Providing products priced on par with standard versions is critical to success, says TerraCycle spokesperson Albe Zakes. He asks, "If everyone can afford to buy eco-friendly products, why wouldn't they?" Read the entire article.
Albany bread presents biodegradable bags
In South Africa, Tiger Brands recently completed the massive and complex conversion of Albany bread, its biggest brand by value, from polyethylene bags to oxo-biodegradable bags. That is significant because Albany by far has the largest share on the country's bread market. The move could remove up to 3,000 tons of waste and litter annually.
The d2w (degrade to water) technology of the bags comes from UK-based Symphony Environmental. Tiger is absorbing the nominal extra cost as part of its social responsibility efforts. "We simply have to do our bit, and considering we use some 500 million bags a year, the amount of plastic our product is sending to landfills is enormous," says Meghan Draddy, Tiger Brands Packaging Development Manager." Read the entire article.
