Sustainable packaging

1. PowerPoint five Sustainable packaging

2. Sustainable packaging Packaging that is functional, cost effective and meets sustainability principles or design criteria.

3. Precautionary principle An obligation for designers to prove that a product, through its manufacture, use or disposal poses no negative consequences for people or the environment. Name a packaging product you think would not have been made if the designer had followed the precautionary principle.

4. Strategies for sustainable packaging

5. Renewable and compostable materials Examples • Bioplastics made from corn, potato, wheat, or dairy polymers • Paper and cardboard from sustainable managed forests • Cellulose film

6. Recycled and recyclable materials Examples • Paper and cardboard made from recycled fibre or moulded pulp • Recycled and recyclable plastics like HDPE and PET

7. Design for reuse Examples • Reusable and recyclable crates and pallets • Re-sealable plastic containers • Return system for customer refills

8. Design for recycling Examples • Packaging made from a single material (including labels and closure system) • Packaging made from materials that are commonly collected for recycling • Packaging with prominent recycling symbols

9. No toxic inks, paints or adhesives Examples • Print with inks that do not contain toxic compounds (volatile organic compounds – VOCs) • Use paints and inks that do not contain heavy metals or other toxic compounds • Use adhesives that do not contain toxic compounds

10. No secondary packaging Example • Use only primary packaging and transit packaging

11. Reduced material volume Examples • Inflatable pouches to fill package voids • Refills in pouches • Lightweight bottles and cans

12. Challenges What are the barriers that prevent packaging designers and manufacturers from adopting all of these strategies?